Improving the stability and photocatalytic activity of AgI via constructing novel Bi12O17Cl2/AgI composite

A novel visible-light-driven Bi12O17Cl2/AgI composite was synthesized by a deposition-precipitation method at room temperature. Dispersing AgI on Bi12O17Cl2 substrate endows AgI achieve excellent stability and visible-light photocatalytic activity for degrading methyl orange (MO) and phenol. The transient photocurrent, electrochemical impedance spectra and photoluminescence spectra results indicated that the matching interactive energy band structures of AgI and Bi12O17Cl2 made Bi12O17Cl2 can act as a highly efficient electron trap to prevent the photoelectrons coupling with the interstitial Ag+ to form metallic Ag0, ensuring the stability. Simultaneously, the electron-hole separation efficiency enhanced, resulting in the outstanding photocatalytic activity. The novel Bi12O17Cl2/AgI will be a potential composite photocatalyst with high stability and efficiency for environmental purification.