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In this paper, ZnO heterojunction with Ag₂CO₃/Ag₂O mixed phase was synthesized by precipitation and phase transformation routes. The synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET specific surface area, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy along with energy-dispersive X-ray (TEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV–vis-NIR spectrophotometer to reveal their phase, morphology, purity, and optical properties. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained nanocomposites was measured by the degradation of phenol under visible light irradiation. The results demonstrated that, the heterojunction mixed phase of Ag₂CO₃/Ag₂O over ZnO surfaces has major effect on establishing the performance of the phenol photodegradation process. It can be noted that the Ag₂O crystal’s growth over Ag₂CO₃ heterojunction on ZnO lattice …