Hierarchical ZnO/Ag nanocomposites for plasmon-enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

Abstract

Abstract Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the noble metals improve the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor metal oxides in the visible light region. This work reports the facile preparation of SPR induced visible light active hierarchical ZnO/Ag nanocomposite photocatalysts by using environmental friendly two-step method. The prepared nanocomposites analyzed by using various techniques such as powder-XRD, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and photocurrent measurements. The results indicate the formation of hierarchical ZnO/Ag nanocomposites, which shows surface plasmon absorbance and enhanced photocurrent responses. Because of the SPR effect, the nanocomposites show improved visible light photocatalytic activity by enhancing the electron-hole pair separation in Rhodamine B degradation system.