Growth and photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanosheets stabilized by Ag nanoparticles

Graphical abstract: The ZnO nanosheets stabilized by silver nanoparticles were synthesized using a liquid-liquid two-phase method with (n-Dodecyl)trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) as a phase transfer agent at the room temperature. Display Omitted Research highlights: → The ZnO nanosheets stabilized by silver nanoparticles were synthesized using a liquid-liquid two-phase method at the room temperature. → The synthesized ZnO nanosheets exist in the organic phase. → Silver nanoparticles can stabilize ZnO nanosheets. - Abstract: The Ag nanoparticles-stabilized ZnO nanosheets were prepared using a liquid-liquid two-phase method with (n-Dodecyl)trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) as a phase transfer agent at the room temperature. The silver nanoparticles which are conductors with the character of attracting energy can make the ZnO sheets stabilize under the higher energy electrons. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy and fluorescence. The results demonstrate that the silver nanoparticles load on the surface of ZnO sheets and make the ZnO sheets stabilize. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of ZnO sheets stabilized by silver nanoparticles was also proposed and discussed in detail. Moreover, the photocatalysis test shows that the ZnO sheets stabilized by silver nanoparticles exhibit a higher photocatalytic activity than the pure ZnO nanosheets, thereby implying that the Ag/ZnO interfaces promote the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and enhance the photocatalytic activity.