Preparation and characteristics of molecularly homogeneous Ag/AgCl nano-heterostructures via a two-step synthesis

Abstract

Ag/AgCl nano heterostructures with different degrees of molecular homogeneity and high photocatalytic activity have been created through a two-step synthesis in ethanol via an in situ oxidation route at room temperature. The result offers an alternative method for synthesizing molecular homogeneous metal/semiconductor nanocomposites. The heterostructures with AgCl ratios of 50% and 80% revealed excellent performance for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange molecules. This technique had the advantages of convenient operation, low cost, and mass production and built up a great molecularly homogeneous composite structure of Ag/AgCl which exhibited high photocatalytic activity and stability towards the decomposition of organic methyl orange.