Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Compounds by Ilmenite AgSbO 3 under Visible and UV Light Irradiation

Ilmenite AgSbO 3 was synthesized by ion-exchange reaction of NaSbO 3 with silver nitrate and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance, surface area, and photocatalytic measurements. AgSbO 3 exhibited unique optical absorption behavior capable of absorbing UV and visible light with a wavelength λ ≤ 500 nm and with a clear tail extending up to 650 nm. Investigation of photocatalytic degradation of dyes, such as methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (Rh B), agreed very well with the optical absorption behavior and showed excellent activity under UV light (λ < 400 nm) radiation. Complete mineralization of MB and Rh B was observed within the first 30−40 min of UV light irradiation. Further, the single phase ilmenite AgSbO 3 efficiently decomposed MB, Rh B, and 4-chlorophenol solutions under visible light radiation (400 nm ≤ λ ≤ 800 nm). The present investigation results point toward the possibility of an ilmenite form of silver antimony oxide as a potential visible-light-based photocatalyst for splitting water to produce hydrogen.