ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Hierarchical Ag-ZnO Microspheres
with Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation
Activities
Hua-Yi Wu1, Wen-Jie Jian1, Hai-Feng Dang2, Xiu-Feng Zhao3,
Li-Zhong Zhang3, Jian-Hui Li3,4
1Department of pharmacy, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361008, China
2College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Guangdong Engineering
and Technology Research Center for Advanced Nanomaterials, Dongguan University of Technology,
Dongguan 523808, China
3Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Changji University, Changji 831100, China
4State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, National Engineering Laboratory
for Green Chemical Productions of Alcohols, Ethers and Esters, and Department of Chemistry,
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
2College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Guangdong Engineering
and Technology Research Center for Advanced Nanomaterials, Dongguan University of Technology,
Dongguan 523808, China
3Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Changji University, Changji 831100, China
4State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, National Engineering Laboratory
for Green Chemical Productions of Alcohols, Ethers and Esters, and Department of Chemistry,
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
Submission date: 2016-07-26
Final revision date: 2016-09-17
Acceptance date: 2016-09-26
Online publication date: 2017-03-22
Publication date: 2017-03-22
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2017;26(2):871–880
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
In this work, the significantly enhanced photocatalytic performances and higher reaction rate of the
hierarchical ZnO microspheres – initially prepared by a solvothermal method without surfactants or
templates and decorated with Ag nanoparticles by a photoreduction method – were found for the degradation
of methylene blue (MB) under both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation. Various characterization
results confirmed that the modification of silver with an optimal amount can effectively extend the absorption
spectrum to the visible region and inhibit a recombination of photo-induced charge carriers. Moreover, the
reason for promoted photostability and the possible mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity
of the as-prepared Ag/ZnO composites under UV or visible light irradiation were also systematically
investigated and discussed.
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