Plasmonic Ag/AgBr nanohybrid: synergistic effect of SPR with photographic sensitivity for enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability

A plasmonic Ag/AgBr nanohybrid has been synthesized by in situ thermal reduction of AgBr nanoparticles in polyols. This directly converted Ag/AgBr shows significant absorption over the full visible spectrum. The enhanced light absorption in the spectral region of 450 nm to 800 nm was due to the plasmonic nanosized Ag grown on the surface of AgBr nanoparticles with mixed morphologies and increased sizes. Under visible light irradiation, the plasmonic Ag/AgBr exhibits high activity and stability for the photodegradation of organic pollutants, e.g. methylene blue. The contribution of the SPR and its synergistic effect with the photosensitive AgBr in the photocatalytic activity were verified. Based on the plasmon-mediated charge injection and the band structure of the metal–semiconductor heterojunction, a mechanism of the plasmon synergistically enhanced photocatalytic process was proposed.