Photocorrosion resistant Ag2CO3@Fe2O3/TiO2-NT nanocomposite for efficient visible light photocatalytic degradation activities.

Ternary nanocomposite Ag2CO3@Fe2O3/TiO2-NT (AFT), compared with binary Fe2O3/TiO2-NT (FTNT) and TiO2 nanotube (TNT), showed remarkably enhanced performance for catalytic photodegradation of phenol compounds in the presence of solar irradiation. AFT nanocomposite performed high degradation efficiency (96.5%) and high degree of sustainability. The unique catalytic properties of the nanocomposite such as synergetic light absorption, efficient charge separation-transfer and resistance toward photocorrosion suggested three possible alternative mechanisms for transferring photogenerated electrons. Ag2CO3@Fe2O3/TiO2-NT nanocomposite may have a potential application for the industrial treatment of wastewater containing toxic organic contamination.