Fabrication of Ag-coated AgBr nanoparticles and their plasmonic photocatalytic applications

Ag-coated AgBr nanoparticles (AggBr) were fabricated viaan aqueous, one-pot route. In this system, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) acted as a stabilizer for the formation of nanoscale AgBr composites through interaction with Ag ions and their hydroxyl (-OH) groups. The mild reducing agent l-arginine was used for partial reduction of AgBr to form metallic Ag nanoparticles on the AgBr surface. The metallic Ag nanoparticles enhanced light absorption in the visible region due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The size of the synthesized nanoparticles was controlled by varying the reaction temperature, and was found to influence the light absorption of AggBr nanocomposites. The prepared nano-photocatalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic activities under both visible light and direct sunlight.