Insight into the efficient photocatalytic removal mechanism of organic pollutants by plasmonic Z-scheme MoS2/Ag/Ag3VO4 heterojunction under visible light

The Z-scheme photocatalysts play a significant role in removing organic pollutants under visible light. In addition, metallic nanoparticles present in plasmonic Z-scheme structures act as electron traps and promote light absorption capacity. Herein, a new ternary MoS2/Ag/Ag3VO4 nanocomposite was successfully synthesized and the chemical structures, morphologies, electrochemical and optical characterizations were carried out. The photocatalytic efficiencies of the products were perused by the degradation of Rhodamine B and reduction of 4-nitroaniline under visible-light irradiation. MoS2/Ag/Ag3VO4 indicated greater photocatalytic efficiency than Ag3VO4, MoS2 and MoS2/Ag3VO4, where 98.6% of Rhodamine B was degraded within 45 min and 90% of 4 -nitroaniline was reduced to p-Phenylendiamine within 20 min, respectively. The boosted photocatalytic degradation and reduction activities of MoS2/Ag/Ag3VO4 can be attributed to the created plasmonic Z-scheme structure to facilitate the separation of and to delay recombination of photocarriers. This study highlights the development of plasmonic photocatalysts in the new Z-scheme structure to effectively eliminate organic pollutants. •MoS2 was coupled with Ag/Ag3VO4 to form plasmonic Z scheme photocatalyst.•Photocatalytic efficiency of MoS2/Ag/Ag3VO4 was tested in RhB and 4-NA removal.•MoS2/Ag/Ag3VO4 has high RhB degradation rate of 98.6% and 4-NA reduction rate of 90%.•The metallic Ag can serve as the electron mediator in such system.•The plasmonic Z-scheme heterojunction enhances the photocatalytic activity.