Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity and Deactivation Mechanism of Ag3PO4 Spherical Particles

Ag₃PO₄ spherical particles were synthesized by a facile precipitation method using silver nitrate and Na₂HPO₄ as precursors. The as‐prepared samples had a high photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under visible‐light illumination. With increasing recycling times the photocatalytic activity first increased and then decreased. Based on systematic characterization of particles by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a possible mechanism responsible for the improvement and subsequent decline of the photocatalytic performance of Ag₃PO₄ is proposed. Ag₃PO₄ spherical particles recycled for four times showed the highest photocatalytic activity because, according to our mechanism, Ag nanoparticles deposited on Ag₃PO₄ acted as electron trapping centers to prevent photogenerated electron‐hole pairs from recombination. A further increase in the recycle times decreases the photocatalytic activity owing to the shielding effect by Ag layers on the surface of Ag₃PO₄. The results presented herein shed new light on the photostability of Ag₃PO₄ spherical particles and are potentially applicable to other photocatalytically active composites.     

Preparation of high‐activity AgBr/Ag3PO4 photocatalyst based on hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and mechanism of photocatalytic enhancement

A high‐activity AgBr/Ag₃PO₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized based on hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. Its microspheres were characterized using X‐ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The new photocatalyst with high photocatalytic activity exceptionally outperforms pure Ag₃PO₄ and AgBr in methyl orange degradation. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity is attributed to the efficient separation of electron–hole pairs. In this photocatalytic reaction, h⁺ and ^?O^2? are the main reactive species that induce visible‐light‐driven degradation.     

Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Remediation of Simulated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Contaminated Wastewater under Visible Light Irradiation by Graphene Oxide Enwrapped Ag3PO4 Composite.

Effective removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from wastewater before their discharge into the environment is an ever pressing requirement. In this study, for the first time, simulated PAHs contaminated wastewater was photocatalytically remediated with graphene oxide (GO) enwrapped silver phosphate as visible light‐driven photocatalysts. The GO/Ag₃PO₄ photocatalysts exhibited superior photocatalytic activity and stability compared with pure Ag₃PO₄, g‐C₃N₄ and TiO₂ (P25). The degradation efficiency of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene could reach 49.7%, 100.0% and 77.9%, rspectively within 5 min irradiation. The apparent rate constants of photocatalytic degradation of 3 wt% GO/Ag₃PO₄ composite photocatalyst were 0.14, 1.21 and 2.46 min⁻¹ for naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene, respectively. They were about 1.8, 1.5 and 2.0 times higher than that of pure Ag₃PO₄, and much higher than that of g‐C₃N₄ and TiO₂. Meanwhile, the efficiencies of 44.6%, 95.2% and 83.8% were achieved for naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene degradation even after 5 times of recycling in the GO/Ag₃PO₄‐PAHs photocatalysis system. Reactive species of ∙O₂⁻ and h⁺ were considered as the main participants for oxidizing naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene.     

Ag_3PO_4/MoS_2纳米片复合催化剂制备及可见光催化性能

采用机械球磨法成功制备Ag_3PO_4/MoS_2纳米片复合催化剂。运用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、紫外可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis)和荧光发射光谱(PL)对复合催化剂的结构和形貌进行了表征。结果表明,Ag_3PO_4纳米粒子均匀地附着在MoS_2纳米片层结构上,两者形成紧密结合。以亚甲基蓝为模拟污染物,研究复合催化剂在可见光照射下的光催化特性;通过循环实验考察复合催化剂的稳定性。结果显示,含有1%的MoS_2纳米片与Ag_3PO_4形成的复合催化剂在30 min内对亚甲基蓝的降解率为95%,其降解动力学常数是纯相Ag_3PO_4的2倍。经过5次循环实验后复合催化剂对于亚甲基蓝的降解率为84%,而纯Ag_3PO_4对于亚甲基蓝的降解率仅为35%。Ag_3PO_4/MoS_2纳米片复合催化剂具有优良的光催化活性和高稳定性,主要归因于二硫化钼纳米片与磷酸银形成异质结,磷酸银激发的电子和二硫化钼纳米片产生的空穴直接复合,从而促使光生电子从磷酸银晶体表面快速分离,减轻了磷酸银的光电子腐蚀,同时也提高了复合物的光催化活性。     

Ag3PO4/MoS2纳米片复合催化剂制备及可见光催化性能

采用机械球磨法成功制备Ag₃PO₄/MoS₂纳米片复合催化剂。运用X射线衍射仪（XRD）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、紫外可见漫反射光谱（UV-Vis）和荧光发射光谱（PL）对复合催化剂的结构和形貌进行了表征。结果表明,Ag₃PO₄纳米粒子均匀地附着在MoS₂纳米片层结构上,两者形成紧密结合。以亚甲基蓝为模拟污染物,研究复合催化剂在可见光照射下的光催化特性;通过循环实验考察复合催化剂的稳定性。结果显示,含有1%的MoS₂纳米片与Ag₃PO₄形成的复合催化剂在30 min内对亚甲基蓝的降解率为95%,其降解动力学常数是纯相Ag₃PO₄的2倍。经过5次循环实验后复合催化剂对于亚甲基蓝的降解率为84%,而纯Ag₃PO₄对于亚甲基蓝的降解率仅为35%。Ag₃PO₄/MoS₂纳米片复合催化剂具有优良的光催化活性和高稳定性,主要归因于二硫化钼纳米片与磷酸银形成异质结,磷酸银激发的电子和二硫化钼纳米片产生的空穴直接复合,从而促使光生电子从磷酸银晶体表面快速分离,减轻了磷酸银的光电子腐蚀,同时也提高了复合物的光催化活性。     

Facile Synthesis of Ag/Ag3PO4 Composites with Highly Efficient and Stable Photocatalytic Performance under Visible Light

The Ag/Ag₃PO₄ composites with various shapes (spheres, polyhedral, and microcubes) were synthesized by a facile precipitation method and a subsequent light‐reduction route at room temperature. The as‐prepared Ag/Ag₃PO₄ composites were characterized in detail by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflection, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The growth processes of different morphologies Ag/Ag₃PO₄ composites are also discussed. The decomposition test of rhodamine B (RhB) indicated that the Ag/Ag₃PO₄ composites enhanced the photocatalytic performance compared with pure Ag₃PO₄, which was attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag nanoparticles and the stability of the photocatalysts. Moreover, uniform cubes of Ag/Ag₃PO₄ showed the highest photocatalytic activity and could completely degrade RhB in 7 min, which could be primarily ascribed to the cubic structure of Ag/Ag₃PO₄ with strong visible‐light absorption and efficient separation of the photo‐generated electrons and holes. Furthermore, the possible photocatalytic mechanism is also discussed.     

Enhanced Ethylene Photodegradation Performance of g‐C3N4–Ag3PO4 Composites with Direct Z‐Scheme Configuration

Photocatalytic oxidation of ethylene continues to be a challenge at the frontier of chemistry. In a previous report, a simple Ag₃PO₄ semiconductor material was shown to have strong photooxidative properties and efficiently oxidised water and decomposed organics in aqueous solution under visible‐light illumination. Herein, its effects on the photo‐oxidation of gaseous C₂H₄ were investigated by fabricating graphitic C₃N₄–Ag₃PO₄ composite semiconductors with direct Z‐scheme configuration. It was found that both the ethylene photo‐oxidative activity and the stability of Ag₃PO₄ are considerably improved by fabrication of Z‐scheme composites. Moreover, stable C₂H₄ photo‐oxidation activity could be obtained by treating the composite at 450 °C for 3 h after long‐term operation. From the point of view of environmental pollutant cleanup, the present technique avoids the side reaction of oxidising water and will be valuable for further investigations on both Ag₃PO₄ and CH degradation.     

Efficient solar photocatalyst based on Ag<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/graphene nanosheets composite for photocatalytic decolorization of dye pollutants

Silver orthophosphate-graphene nanosheets composite (Ag₃PO₄-GNs) has been fabricated using a facile hydrothermal method. The Ag₃PO₄-GNs were characterized using XRD, UV–vis DRS and SEM. The photocatalytic activity of Ag₃PO₄-GNs was evaluated by photocatalytic decolorization of dye aqueous solutions under simulated solar light irradiation. It was observed that Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles in Ag₃PO₄-GNs were attached on the surface of graphene nanosheets.The introduction of graphene nanosheets enhanced remarkably the visible light absorption region of Ag₃PO₄-GNs compared with bare Ag₃PO₄. The photocatalytic activity of Ag₃PO₄-GNs is nearly twice as high as that of the pure Ag₃PO₄. The removal efficiency can reach more than 90 % by Ag₃PO₄-GNs under simulated solar light irradiation within 25 min, which might mainly be attributed to high adsorption capacity, extended light absorption range and efficient charge separation. After irradiation for 60 min, 84.70 % TOC mineralization was achieved by Ag₃PO₄-GNs. Based on the results of detection of active species, the direct oxidization of dye pollutants in aqueous solution by holes takes a major role in the whole decolorization process by Ag₃PO₄-GNs. As a result, Ag₃PO₄-GNs with the high photocatalytic activity are proven to be an excellent light photocatalyst for potentially scalable removal of dyes in aqueous solutions and other environmental remediation under simulated solar light irradiation.     

Ag3PO4/BiVO4复合光催化剂的制备及可见光催化降解染料

结合回流法和原位沉淀法成功制备磷酸银/矾酸铋(Ag₃PO₄/BiVO₄)复合光催化剂. 通过X 射线衍射(XRD)、场发射扫描电子显微镜(FESEM)、能量色散X射线光谱(EDS)、紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)及光致发光(PL)光谱对制备样品进行表征. XRD和FESEM结果表明成功制备Ag₃PO₄/BiVO₄复合光催化剂. 采用节能发光二极管灯(LED)作为可见光光源, 在低消耗光催化系统中评价制备样品可见光催化降解染料的活性.当Ag₃PO₄和BiVO₄的组成摩尔比为1:3 时, 复合Ag₃PO₄/BiVO₄光催化剂呈现出高于纯相Ag₃PO₄的催化活性,可减少Ag₃PO₄的使用量. Ag₃PO₄/BiVO₄复合光催化剂在中性溶液中表现出高活性, 同时证实其对阳离子染料的光催化降解效果强于阴离子染料. 在Ag₃PO₄/BiVO₄系统中, 超氧自由基和空穴是主要的活性物种. 经过三次循环利用, Ag₃PO₄/BiVO₄复合催化剂的可见光催化活性表现出不同程度的降低, 归因于降解过程中产生金属银.     

Ag2S/Ag3PO4/Ni复合薄膜的制备及其光催化性能

采用电化学方法制备Ag₂S/Ag₃PO₄/Ni复合薄膜,以扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、X射线衍射（XRD）、紫外-可见漫反射光谱（UV-Vis DRS）对薄膜的表面形貌、晶相结构、光谱特性及能带结构进行了表征,以罗丹明B为模拟污染物对薄膜的光催化活性和稳定性进行了测定,采用向溶液中加入活性物种捕获剂的方法对薄膜的光催化机理进行了探索。结果表明：最佳工艺制备的Ag₂S/Ag₃PO₄/Ni是由均匀的球形纳米颗粒构成的薄膜,其光催化活性明显优于纯Ag₃PO₄/Ni薄膜和纯Ag₂S/Ni薄膜,且在保持薄膜光催化活性基本不变的前提下可循环使用6次。提出了可见光下Ag₂S/Ag₃PO₄/Ni复合薄膜光催化降解罗丹明B的反应机理。     

Ag2S/Ag3PO4/Ni复合薄膜的制备及其光催化性能

采用电化学方法制备Ag_2S/Ag_3PO_4/Ni复合薄膜,以扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UVVis DRS)对薄膜的表面形貌、晶相结构、光谱特性及能带结构进行了表征,以罗丹明B为模拟污染物对薄膜的光催化活性和稳定性进行了测定,采用向溶液中加入活性物种捕获剂的方法对薄膜的光催化机理进行了探索。结果表明:最佳工艺制备的Ag_2S/Ag_3PO_4/Ni是由均匀的球形纳米颗粒构成的薄膜,其光催化活性明显优于纯Ag_3PO_4/Ni薄膜和纯Ag_2S/Ni薄膜,且在保持薄膜光催化活性基本不变的前提下可循环使用6次。提出了可见光下Ag_2S/Ag_3PO_4/Ni复合薄膜光催化降解罗丹明B的反应机理。     

p-n异质结BiPO4/Ag3PO4的制备及其增强的模拟太阳光活性

采用一步水热合成法制备了BiPO₄、Ag₃PO₄和BiPO₄/Ag₃PO₄复合光催化剂,通过X射线粉末衍射（XRD）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、紫外-可见漫反射（UV-Vis DRS）等表征手段对其组成结构、形貌及光吸收性质进行了表征,结果表明Ag₃PO₄呈块状结构,BiPO₄则分布在其表面,形成的BiPO₄/Ag₃PO₄复合光催化剂具有单斜相和立方晶相结构,带边吸收拓宽至571 nm。以甲基橙和加替沙星为目标污染物,考察了BiPO₄/Ag₃PO₄复合光催化剂在模拟太阳光照射下的降解矿化能力,结果表明复合催化剂比单一催化剂的降解矿化能力更强,稳定性更好。此外,自由基捕获实验表明空穴是该光催化过程中的主要活性物种,·O₂^-次之。p-n异质结的形成使BiPO₄/Ag₃PO₄复合光催化剂具有较强的电子空穴分离能力是光催化活性提高的主要原因,这与光电流和电化学阻抗谱测试结果相一致。基于以上结果,文中对BiPO₄/Ag₃PO₄光催化降解有机污染物的机理进行了推测。     

p-n异质结BiPO_4/Ag_3PO_4的制备及其增强的模拟太阳光活性

采用一步水热合成法制备了BiPO_4、Ag_3PO_4和BiPO_4/Ag_3PO_4复合光催化剂,通过X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、紫外-可见漫反射(UV-Vis DRS)等表征手段对其组成结构、形貌及光吸收性质进行了表征,结果表明Ag_3PO_4呈块状结构,BiPO_4则分布在其表面,形成的BiPO_4/Ag_3PO_4复合光催化剂具有单斜相和立方晶相结构,带边吸收拓宽至571 nm。以甲基橙和加替沙星为目标污染物,考察了BiPO_4/Ag_3PO_4复合光催化剂在模拟太阳光照射下的降解矿化能力,结果表明复合催化剂比单一催化剂的降解矿化能力更强,稳定性更好。此外,自由基捕获实验表明空穴是该光催化过程中的主要活性物种,·O2-次之。p-n异质结的形成使BiPO_4/Ag_3PO_4复合光催化剂具有较强的电子空穴分离能力是光催化活性提高的主要原因,这与光电流和电化学阻抗谱测试结果相一致。基于以上结果,文中对BiPO_4/Ag_3PO_4光催化降解有机污染物的机理进行了推测。     

中空管状g-C3N4/Ag3PO4复合催化剂的制备及其可见光催化性能

用化学沉淀法制备中空管状g-C₃N₄/Ag₃PO₄复合催化剂。通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、紫外可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)和荧光光谱对其结构、形貌和光学性能进行了表征。结果表明：Ag₃PO₄纳米颗粒均匀地分散在中空管状g-C₃N₄表面,两者紧密结合形成异质结。研究复合催化剂在可见光照射下降解盐酸四环素(TC)的光催化活性。结果显示：复合催化剂在80 min内对TC的降解率为98%,其降解反应速率常数是纯相Ag₃PO₄的3倍。经过5次循环实验后复合催化剂对于TC的降解率仍保持87%,具有优良的循环稳定性。捕获实验表明空穴(h⁺)和超氧负离子(·O^-₂)是光催化反应过程中的主要活性物种。根据能带理论,提出了复合催化剂异质结的Z型光催化机理。     

可见光高催化活性GO/Ag3PO4/Ni复合薄膜的制备和性能

以磷酸铵和氧化石墨烯悬浊液的混合液为电解液,采用电化学共沉积法制备了Ag3PO4基GO/Ag3PO4/Ni复合薄膜。运用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、能量色散谱(EDS)、X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱(Raman)和紫外可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)等对其形貌、物相和光谱特性进行分析。最佳工艺制备的GO/Ag3PO4/Ni复合薄膜呈现出GO包覆在直径为100 nm左右的Ag3PO4纳米球外的表面形貌。GO片与Ag3PO4纳米球之间存在强电荷相互作用。与单独的Ag3PO4纳米球相比,GO片的附着导致带隙缩小,可见光区的吸收率增强。可见光下考察了复合薄膜降解罗丹明B的光催化活性和稳定性,并利用荧光光谱和捕获剂法对薄膜的光催化机理进行了探索。结果表明,GO片的加入不仅显著提高了Ag3PO4的光催化活性,而且提高了Ag3PO4的结构稳定性。光催化降解罗丹明B 60 min时,GO/Ag3PO4/Ni复合薄膜的降解率是Ag3PO4/Ni薄膜的1.32倍。在保持薄膜光催化活性基本不变的前提下可循环使用7次。GO优异的电荷传导性能,以及Ag3PO4纳米球与GO片之间的正协同效应是提高复合薄膜光催化性能的主要原因。     

Highly Efficient Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 Z-Scheme Photocatalyst for Its Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance in Degradation of Rhodamine B and Phenol

Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄ heterojunctions, with different g-C₃N₄ dosages, were synthesized using an in situ deposition method, and the photocatalytic performance of g-C₃N₄/Ag₃PO₄ heterojunctions was studied under simulated sunlight conditions. The results revealed that Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄ exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation activity for rhodamine B (Rh B) and phenol under the same light conditions. When the dosage of g-C₃N₄ was 30%, the degradation rate of Rh B at 9 min and phenol at 30 min was found to be 99.4% and 97.3%, respectively. After five cycles of the degradation experiment for Rh B, g-C₃N₄/Ag₃PO₄ still demonstrated stable photodegradation characteristics. The significant improvement in the photocatalytic activity and stability of g-C₃N₄/Ag₃PO₄ was attributed to the rapid charge separation between g-C₃N₄ and Ag₃PO₄ during the Z-scheme charge transfer and recombination process.     

BiPO4 photocatalyst employing synergistic action of Ag/Ag3PO4 nanostructure and graphene nanosheets

Graphene-supported BiPO₄/Ag/Ag₃PO₄ photocatalyst has been fabricated by simple hydrothermal and impregnation reaction. In BiPO₄/Ag/Ag₃PO₄ based on Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO), this network renders numerous pathways for rapid mass transport, strong adsorption and multireflection of incident light; meanwhile, the interface between BiPO₄/Ag/Ag₃PO₄ and RGO increases the active sites and electron transfer rate. BiPO₄/Ag/Ag₃PO₄ based on RGO noticeably exhibited high photocatalytic activity than that of BiPO₄/Ag/Ag₃PO₄ and P25 under visible light irradiation for cationic dye (Rhodamine B), anionic dye (methyl orange) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) as a neutral pollutant, which are usually difficult to be degraded over the other catalysts. This enhanced photocatalytic activity of Graphene-supported BiPO₄/Ag/Ag₃PO₄ for all pollutants could be mainly ascribed to the reinforced charge transfer from BiPO₄/Ag/Ag₃PO₄ to RGO, which suppresses the recombination of electron/hole pairs. Besides that, this photocatalyst can be used repetitively with a high photocatalytic activity and no apparent loss of activity occurs. The results reveal that the RGO nanosheets work as a photocatalyst promoter during the photocatalytic reaction, leading to an improved photocatalytic activity.     

Ag/Ag3PO4/g-C3N4三元复合光催化剂的制备及其可见光驱动下的光催化活性增强

报道了一种新型Ag/Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄三元复合光催化剂的制备及其半导体界面处的快速载流子分离所引起的光催化活性的显著增强效应。通过X射线衍射,扫描电子显微镜,紫外-可见吸收光谱以及光致发光光谱等就其晶体结构、形貌、组分、光学吸收以及载流子的快速分离行为进行了表征与分析。以罗丹明B作为模型化合物分子,研究发现,所制备的Ag/Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄三元复合光催化剂在可见光照射下表现出比Ag₃PO₄以及Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄二元催化剂更为优异的光催化活性。研究认为,Ag₃PO₄表面尺寸约为40 nm的Ag纳米粒子在可见光下受激所产生的等离子表面共振效应以及Ag₃PO₄与g-C₃N₄界面处所形成的类似异质结结构对所制备的Ag/Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄三元复合光催化剂光催化活性的显著增强起到重要作用。     

Ag3PO4的可见光光催化性能及机理分析

采用沉淀置换法制备了可见光光催化剂Ag3PO4,利用XRD、UV-Vis及XPS等对其进行了结构特性分析,以水中微污染有机物的降解评价了Ag3PO4的光催化活性,并通过活性物种及能带结构的分析对催化剂的光催化机理进行了推测。结果表明,Ag3PO4的带隙能约为1.9 eV、催化剂表面存在的Ag+可捕获光生e-、催化剂的价带电位较低,这有利于Ag3PO4在可见光照射下产生的e--h+的分离及活性物种.OH的形成。经60 min可见光光催化反应,15 mg.L-1的甲基橙和腐殖酸的降解率分别达97%和82%,比同等条件下TiO2-P25的降解率还高40%和25%,光催化剂Ag3PO4的用量为0.6 g.L-1。     

Reduced Graphene Oxide–Ag3PO4 Heterostructure: A Direct Z‐Scheme Photocatalyst for Augmented Photoreactivity and Stability

A visible light driven, direct Z‐scheme reduced graphene oxide–Ag₃PO₄ (RGO–Ag₃PO₄) heterostructure was synthesized by means of a simple one‐pot photoreduction route by varying the amount of RGO under visible light illumination. The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and growth of Ag₃PO₄ took place simultaneously. The effect of the amount of RGO on the textural properties and photocatalytic activity of the heterostructure was investigated under visible light illumination. Furthermore, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis confirmed 97.1 % mineralization of organic dyes over RGO–Ag₃PO₄ in just five minutes under visible‐light illumination. The use of different quenchers in the photomineralization suggested the presence of hydroxyl radicals ( ^. OH), superoxide radicals ( ^. O₂^?), and holes (h⁺), which play a significant role in the mineralization of organic dyes. In addition to that, clean hydrogen fuel generation was also observed with excellent reusability. The 4 RGO–Ag₃PO₄ heterostructure has a high H₂ evolution rate of 3690 μmol h^?1 g^?1, which is 6.15 times higher than that of RGO.