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Novel ZnO/Ag2CrO4 nanocomposites with n–n heterojunctions as excellent photocatalysts for degradation of different pollutants under visible light

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Abstract

Novel ZnO/Ag2CrO4 nanocomposites, as excellent visible-light-driven photocatalysts, were successfully prepared with different weight percents of Ag2CrO4 using a facile refluxing method at 96 °C. The phase, purity, morphology, and electronic properties of the resultant samples were characterized using XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM, UV–Vis DRS, FT-IR, and PL techniques. The nanocomposite with 30 % of Ag2CrO4 was selected as the best photocatalyst for degradation of rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation. Activity of this nanocomposite is about 16-, 20-, and 25-fold greater than that of the ZnO in degradation of rhodamine B, methylene blue, and methyl orange, respectively. The excellent activity of the nanocomposites was attributed to more visible-light absorption ability, due to presence of narrow band gap Ag2CrO4, and fast separation of the photogenerated charge carriers, due to formation of n–n heterojunctions between ZnO and Ag2CrO4. Furthermore, the influence of preparation time, calcination temperature, and scavengers of the reactive species on the photocatalytic activity was studied and the results were discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, for financial support of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, P.O. Box 179, Ardabil, Iran

    Mahsa Pirhashemi & Aziz Habibi-Yangjeh

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  1. Mahsa Pirhashemi
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  2. Aziz Habibi-Yangjeh
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Correspondence to Aziz Habibi-Yangjeh.

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Pirhashemi, M., Habibi-Yangjeh, A. Novel ZnO/Ag2CrO4 nanocomposites with n–n heterojunctions as excellent photocatalysts for degradation of different pollutants under visible light. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 27, 4098–4108 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-015-4269-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-015-4269-4

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