Enhanced Visible Light-Responsive Photocatalytic Properties of Ag/BiPbO 2 Cl Nanosheet Composites

Ag/BiPbO 2 Cl nanosheet composites were successfully prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and photo-reduction. The morphology, microstructure, and optical properties of the as-prepared Ag/BiPbO 2 Cl nanosheet composites were characterized using TEM, XRD, and UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy. The prepared Ag/BiPbO 2 Cl nanosheet composites with 0.5 wt% Ag exhibit favorable photocatalytic activity, which is 3.6 times that of BiPbO 2 Cl nanosheet. The enhanced photocatalytic properties can be attributed to the inner electromagnetic field, higher visible light response range, excellent conductivity, and lower Fermi level of Ag.