Origin of Cycle Performance in the Ag₂O/TiO₂ Heterostructure Photocatalyst

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Photocatalysis

Background:

• Photocatalysis research often prioritizes efficiency over cycle performance.
• Industrial application of photocatalysts requires stable, long-term operation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare an Ag2O/TiO2 heterostructure photocatalyst for continuous methylene blue photodegradation.
• To investigate the microstructure evolution and its impact on cycle performance.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Ag2O/TiO2 heterostructure photocatalyst.
• Continuous photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light.
• Recycling of photocatalyst samples (1st and 5th rounds) for microstructure analysis.

Main Results:

• Photocatalytic performance improved after the first cycle and remained stable thereafter.
• Ag2O/TiO2 transformed into Ag2O@Ag-TiO2- during reactions due to charge transfer.
• Microstructure changes enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance, increasing carrier generation and lifetime.

Conclusions:

• The Ag2O/TiO2 heterostructure exhibits enhanced and stable cycle performance for MB photodegradation.
• Surface charge transfer and redox reactions drive microstructural and photoelectric property evolution, crucial for cycle stability.
• The study highlights the importance of microstructure evolution in achieving robust photocatalytic systems.