Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO/AgNbO_3

ZnO/AgNbO3 hetero-junction photocatalysts were prepared by impregnation method.The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray photoelectron spectroscope(XPS),scan electron microscope(SEM)and UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectra(DRS).The results indicated that Zn dopant did not change the crystal structures of AgNbO3.With increasing Zn content and calcination temperature,the ZnO phase formed in the ZnO/AgNO3.XPS analysis indicated that Zn2+ existed as ZnO.The DRS spectra showed that Zn dopant enhanced the ability of visible light absorption of the ZnO/AgNbO3 samples.The photocatalysts doping with ZnO exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic activities for degradation of methylene blue(MB)under visible light and UV light irra-diation.The highest efficiency was obtained when the sample calcined at 300℃ with 3 wt% Zn content under UV lightirradiation.The mechanism of improving photocatalytic activity was also discussed.