Constructing Ag2O nanoparticle modified TiO2 nanotube arrays for enhanced photocatalytic performances

Abstract Currently, the silver-based semiconductor modified TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTA) for the improved photocatalytic treatment of industrial waste water have been a hot topic. The simple synthesis and environmental application of photocatalysts with excellent photocatalytic ability is still a big challenge. Herein, We reported the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) preparation of Ag2O nanoparticles on TiO2 NTA surfaces. The different deposition cycles were performed to investigate the influence of Ag2O deposition amounts on the photoelectrochemical activity. Results revealed that the S-10 fabricated with 10 SILAR cycles had the impressive photocatalytic and photoelectric conversion performances. The visible light photovoltage and photocurrent of S-10 electrode were −0.20 V and 463.2 μA/cm2. Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of MO, RhB and MB dyes achieved 67.40%, 59.19% and 93.89%, respectively. Further increasing the irradiation time, the mineralization degree of organic dyes were improved up to 71.28%, 60.31%, and 92.58% after 6 h solar irradiation. Cr(VI) ions were also dramatically removed by photocatalysts. The remarkable photocatalytic performance of Ag2O/TiO2 NTA would exhibit attractive prospect in the industrial waste water purification.