Preparation and characterisations of silver halide/silver tungstate heterocrystals with enhanced photocatalytic properties

Abstract

AgX/Ag₂WO₄ (X = Cl, Br, I) core-shell heterocrystals with a compatible rod morphology were fabricated by a facile and general method, and the morphologies, structures and properties were studied by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), etc. In the growth process, the precursors of Ag₂WO₄ crystals formed firstly can undertake the template of AgX/Ag₂WO₄ heterocrystals. Besides, the heterocrystals exhibit much higher photocatalytic activities, structural stabilities and photoelectric properties than pure Ag₂WO₄ crystals in environment and energy applications. The enhanced mechanism of photocatalytic properties was investigated in detail.

Keywords:

• Silver tungsten
• Silver halide
• Heterocrystal
• Photocatalytic