In-situ preparation of Ag2S nanoparticle-anchored BiVO4 nanosheet p-n heterostructure on three-dimensional flexible substrate for enhancement of photocatalytic activity

A series of hybrid films were designed and fabricated by in situ growth of Ag2S nanoparticles with varying content on BiVO4 nanosheets deposited on stainless steel mesh. The formation of a p -n heterojunction between Ag2S and BiVO4 enabled an extended spectral response range and facilitated the separation of charge carriers through a single directional pathway for electron transport. Exploiting these advantages, Ag2S/BiVO4 composites were employed in various photocatalytic applications under simulated solar irradiation. The results demonstrated, in terms of water purification, that the composite not only possessed photocatalytic ability to degrade RhB or Cr(VI) individually but also exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic efficiency in simultaneously removing mixed pollutants containing RhB and Cr(VI). In terms of CO2 conversion, Ag2S/BiVO4 also displayed a stronger photocatalysis capability compared to pure BiVO4 film. Furthermore, the immobilized Ag2S/BiVO4 film exhibited improved mechanical strength and long-term stability, making it highly suitable for practical applications.