Highly enhanced photoelectric catalysis of WO3 nanoblocks loaded with Ag nanoparticles

Abstract:

WO3/Ag composite film photoanodes were synthesized by hydrothermal combined electrodeposition method. Characterization of samples was conducted by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which showed that WO3/Ag composite films had been synthesized. Diffuse reflectance spectra show WO3/Ag composite film has more strong absorption than WO3 film under simulated visible light irradiation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows WO3/Ag composite film photoanode enhances charge transfer efficiency compared with WO3 film. WO3/Ag composite film photoanodes show higher photocurrent and photoelectric catalytic activity than WO3 film, and the WO3/Ag composite film obtained by depositing Ag nanoparticles at 50 s (WO3/Ag-50) shows the highest photocurrent and photoelectric photoelectric catalytic activity. Meanwhile, the photoelectric catalytic activity of the composite film is higher than their direct photocatalytic and electric catalytic activity. The higher photocurrent and photoelectric catalytic activity of the WO3/Ag composite film photoanodes are attributed to the surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag nanoparticles and Schottky junction effect at the WO3/Ag interface.