Ag nanofilm enhanced S-type Ag@AgCl/tubular g-C3N4/Ti photoanode visible light response photocatalytic fuel cell

In this study, based on Ag@AgCl/tubular g-C 3 N 4 (Ag@AgCl/TCN) composite, Ag nanoparticles were deposited on its surface to form Ag nanofilm enhanced composite through photoreduction of excessive silver nitrate solution to obtain Ag nanofilm Ag@AgCl/TCN photocatalyst . Finally, Ag nanofilm Ag@AgCl/TCN/Ti photoanode was successfully prepared by silica-sol drop-coating method, and assembled with Cu 2 O/Cu cathode to construct a photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC). Ag nanofilm can not only enhance the light absorption and utilization of Ag@AgCl/TCN/Ti, but also extend its light response wavelength to visible light , and be used as an electron transfer medium to reduce internal resistance. The photocurrent density and the photoconversion efficiency of the Ag nanofilm/Ag@AgCl/TCN/Ti are 8.01 mA·cm −2 and 1.24%, respectively, which are 2.49 and 2.54 times those of the Ag@AgCl/TCN/Ti photoanode, respectively. The first-order kinetic constant and the maximum power density of the Ag nanofilm-coated Ag@AgCl/TCN/Ti-Cu 2 O/Cu PFC system are 0.064 min −1 and 46.37 μW·cm −2 , respectively, which are 1.39 and 1.94 times those of the Ag@AgCl/TCN-Cu 2 O/Cu PFC system, respectively. In addition, it degraded more than 95% of rhodamine B, 72.68% of tetracycline and 54.25% of bisphenol A within 60 min. The excellent performance of Ag nanofilm/Ag@AgCl/TCN/Ti-Cu 2 O/Cu is due to the strengthening of Ag nanofilm and the formation of S-type heterojunctions between AgCl and TCN. Free radicals (•Cl, h + , •OH, •O 2 - ) and non-radicals ( 1 O 2 ) are involved in the degradation reaction of RhB degradation. It is worth noting that 6% Ag nanofilm/Ag@AgCl/TCN/Ti-Cu 2 O/Cu has a positive effect on the production of •O 2 - , and its output is approximately 1.89 times that of the Ag@AgCl/TCN/Ti-Cu 2 O/Cu. A series of material characterization experiments have been completed and possible mechanisms of operation have been proposed. This study provides a new scheme for the design and preparation of high-efficiency photoanode of PFC.