Preparation of novel p-n heterogeneous Ag2O/MnO2 composites and photocatalytic degradation of gaseous toluene

A facile and rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal approach was employed to fabricate flower-shaped MnO 2 , and Ag 2 O nanoparticles were deposited onto the surface of MnO 2 via a chemical precipitation method to enhance the photocatalytic performance of MnO 2 under visible light. The two distinct types of semiconductors form a p-n heterojunction, attaining spatial separation of photogenerated carriers and minimizing the recombination probability of electrons and holes. The material's composition, morphology, structure, light absorption, electrochemical impedance, transient photocurrent response, spectral response, and free radicals were characterized and tested by XRD, SEM, TEM, UV–vis, EIS, I-t, PL, etc. The photocatalytic performance of the Ag 2 O/MnO 2 composite material was investigated under visible light irradiation, with gaseous toluene serving as the target pollutant. The outcomes demonstrate that Ag 2 O was successfully loaded onto MnO 2 , and the Ag 2 O/MnO 2 composite material exhibited superior photocatalytic degradation capability under simulated sunlight irradiation. Among them, the Ag 2 O/MnO 2 composite material with an Ag 2 O mass fraction of 10 wt% boasted the highest photocatalytic efficiency, achieving a degradation rate of 94.01 % after 80 min of light exposure. • Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis yields high-surface-area flower-like MnO 2 . • Ag 2 O/MnO 2 p-n heterojunction enhances charge transfer and carrier separation. • Narrowed bandgap and suppressed recombination boost visible-light toluene degradation.