Constructing a novel Zn2SnO4/C/AgBr nanocomposite with extended spectral response and improved photocatalytic performance

High-efficient photocatalyst based on Zn₂SnO₄/C/AgBr multi-component heterostructure was prepared via a two-step hydrothermal synthesis method followed by chemical deposition process. Morphological studies showed that ultra-fine AgBr nanoparticles with the size of 3–5 nm were in situ grown on the surface of the carbon layers attached to Zn₂SnO₄ nanocrystals. UV–vis characterization demonstrated that the co-modification of carbon and AgBr contributed to the dramatically improved light absorption ability of Zn₂SnO₄/C/AgBr nanocomposites. In the multi-component heterostructured photocatalyst, carbon functioning as a charge mediator plays a pivotal role in separating photogenerated electron-hole pairs efficiently. Zn₂SnO₄/C/AgBr photocatalysts exhibited a significant enhancement of visible-light photocatalytic performance toward the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB), resulting from the synergistic effect of the intensified visible-light absorption capacity and efficient photogenerated electron-hole pairs transfer. In addition, a proposed schematic mechanism for the significant enhancement of photocatalytic performance is as well put forward on the basis of the experimental results.