One-pot green synthesis of Ag@AgCl nanoparticles with excellent photocatalytic performance

Ag@AgCl composites are effective photocatalysts used for degrading organic pollutants, but the limitations of their large-scale production hinder them from having a broad scope of applications. In this study, Ag@AgCl nanoparticles (NPs) with efficient photocatalytic performance were synthesized using a simple and straightforward strategy. Excess chloride (Cl⁻) ions were added into a silver nitrate (AgNO₃)/N,N-dimethylacetamide solution to form [AgCl₂]⁻. The solution of [AgCl₂]⁻ was slowly dropped into a 0.5 wt. % polyvinylpyrrolidone solution to obtain silver chloride (AgCl). Neutral silver ions (silver (0) (Ag⁰)) were produced by the partial decomposition of silver chloride and formed Ag@AgCl under irradiation with visible light. The experimental analysis showed that Ag@AgCl NPs had strong absorption within the range of visible light. They exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity with recyclability for the degradation of methyl orange dyes under visible-light irradiation. The photocatalyst prepared in this study can have practical application in wastewater treatment through the significant degradation of organic pollutants.