Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO/AgNbO3

ZnO/AgNbO3 hetero-junction photocatalysts were prepared by impregnation method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), scan electron microscope (SEM) and UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectra (DRS). The results indicated that Zn dopant did not change the crystal structures of AgNbO3. With increasing Zn content and calcination temperature, the ZnO phase formed in the ZnO/AgNO3. XPS analysis indicated that Zn2+ existed as ZnO. The DRS spectra showed that Zn dopant enhanced the ability of visible light absorption of the ZnO/AgNbO3 samples. The photocatalysts doping with ZnO exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic activities for degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light and UV light irradiation. The highest efficiency was obtained when the sample calcined at 300 ith 3 wt% Zn content under UV light irradiation. The mechanism of improving photocatalytic activity was also discussed.