Quaternary heterostructured Ag–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} composite: Synthesis and enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

In this work, a novel quaternary heterostructured Ag–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} composite was fabricated through a low-temperature solution-phase route. The XRD, SEM, EDX and XPS results indicated the as-prepared sample is a four-phase composite of Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}, Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}, Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}, and Ag. The photocatalytic activities of the as-synthesized samples were evaluated towards the degradation of phenol red aqueous solution. The results showed that the as-synthesized Ag–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} photocatalysts displayed much higher photocatalytic activities in comparison with pure Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}, pure Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}, and Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} composite. Among them, the 2.5% Ag–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} sample performed the best. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst was attributed predominantly to the efficient separation of photoinduced electrons and holes. In addition, Ag nanoparticles were photodeposited on the surface of the composite to increase visible-light absorption via the surface plasmon resonance, which is also beneficial to the enhancement of photocatalytic performance. The possible photocatalytic mechanism of the quaternary heterostructure was also discussed in detail. - Graphical abstract: Quaternary heterostructured Ag–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{submore » 3}/Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} were fabricated. The as-synthesized Ag–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} photocatalysts displayed much higher photocatalytic activities in comparison with pure Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}, pure Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}, and Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} composite. - Highlights: • Quaternary heterostructured Ag–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} composites were fabricated. • Ag–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} samples were characterized by various characterization technologies. • Ag–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Bi{sub 3.64}Mo{sub 0.36}O{sub 6.55}/Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} composites presented excellent photocatalytic performances.« less