Insights into Ag2SeO3 synthesis using the sonochemical method, for wastewater treatment: pH-tunable morphology

Abstract

This study investigates how pH influences the synthesis of Ag2SeO3 via a sonochemical route. Morphologies ranged from sheet- to rod-like particles, with slightly acidic conditions (pH 5) favoring smaller sheet-like structures. All samples exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency toward Rhodamine B degradation under UV light, achieving degradation rates of ∼98.8 % (ASOpH2), 99.2 % (ASOpH5), and 83.4 % (ASOpH12) within 45 min. Photolysis alone accounted for a maximum of 12.5 % (4.68 × 10−4 min−1) over 120 min. In 45 min, ASOpH5 demonstrated the best performance (99.2 %, 1.01 × 10−1 min−1) governed by •OH cleavage of RhB’s aromatic ring, outperforming ASOpH2 (98.8 %, 8.57 × 10−2 min−1), ASOpH12 (83.4 %, 5.62 × 10−2 min−1). Enhanced PL intensity and red-shift in ASOpH5 suggest that increased oxygen vacancies boosted excited electron density near the conduction band, explaining its superior photocatalytic activity.