Engineering Ag-Modified BiOCl as an Efficient and Effective Catalyst for Solar Light-Driven Organic Pollutant Degradation and Hydrogen Production

The direct conversion of solar energy into clean fuels has emerged as an effective approach for future energy production and addressing environmental challenges. This research focuses on the synthesis of BiOCl using a straightforward hydrothermal method with Ag modification achieved through green synthesis. These materials were applied to enhance photocatalytic processes and hydrogen (H₂) evolution. Comprehensive characterization of the synthesized photocatalysts was performed by using techniques, such as XRD, SEM, BET, XPS, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The Ag/BiOCl composite demonstrated impressive photocatalytic performance, achieving degradation rates of 96% for RhB, 87.7% for TC, and 85% for HQ under 18 min of solar irradiation. Additionally, a high mineralization rate of 92% was observed through Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis. Furthermore, the Ag/BiOCl composite exhibited a significant H₂ evolution rate of 565 μmol g^-1 h^-1, which is nearly double that of pure BiOCl. The interaction between Ag and BiOCl was found to enhance the generation of O₂- radicals, as confirmed by radical trapping experiments, with the underlying mechanism elucidated using LC-HRMS. The nanoparticles also demonstrated excellent degradation of industrial waste, highlighting the potential of Ag/BiOCl for use in the purification and sterilization of industrial effluents.