Fabrication of Ag3PO4–AgBr–PTh composite loaded on Na2SiO3 with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

doi:10.1007/s11706-018-0430-3

Front. Mater. Sci.

2018, Vol. 12

Issue (3) : 264-272 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-018-0430-3

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Fabrication of Ag₃PO₄–AgBr–PTh composite loaded on Na₂SiO₃ with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Xiaojun NIU(

), Jinling MA

School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China

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Abstract

A novel Ag₃PO₄–AgBr–PTh composite loaded on Na₂SiO₃ was synthesized for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by photodegrading rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The main reactive species and possible photocatalytic mechanism were also discussed. As a result, the Ag₃PO₄–AgBr–PTh composite loaded on Na₂SiO₃ exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for RhB compared with Ag₃PO₄ under visible-light irradiation. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the hole (h⁺) and superoxide radical (•O₂⁻) were the major reactive species involving in the RhB degradation. PTh played vital role for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag₃PO₄–AgBr–PTh–Na₂SiO₃ composite, which offered an electron transfer expressway and accelerated the transfer of the electrons from the CB of AgBr into Ag₃PO₄. This work could provide a new perspective for the synthesis of Ag₃PO₄-based composites and the improvement of photocatalytic activity of Ag₃PO₄.

Keywords Ag₃PO₄–AgBr–PTh–Na₂SiO₃ composite PTh photocatalytic activity visible light

Corresponding Author(s): Xiaojun NIU

Online First Date: 02 August 2018 Issue Date: 10 September 2018

Cite this article:

Xiaojun NIU,Jinling MA. Fabrication of Ag₃PO₄–AgBr–PTh composite loaded on Na₂SiO₃ with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity[J]. Front. Mater. Sci., 2018, 12(3): 264-272.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/EN/10.1007/s11706-018-0430-3
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/EN/Y2018/V12/I3/264

Fig.1 XRD patterns of PTh, Ag₃PO₄, the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?Na₂SiO₃ composite, and the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?PTh?Na₂SiO₃ composite.

Fig.2 SEM images of (a) Ag₃PO₄, (b) PTh, (c) the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?Na₂SiO₃ composite, and (d) the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?PTh?Na₂SiO₃ composite. (e) EDS image of the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?PTh?Na₂SiO₃ composite.

Fig.3 FTIR spectra of pure Ag₃PO₄ (a), PTh (b), the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?Na₂SiO₃ composite (c), and the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?PTh?Na₂SiO₃ composite (d).

Fig.4 XPS spectra of the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?PTh?Na₂SiO₃ composite: (a) survey spectrum; (b) Ag 3d; (c) P 2p; (d) O 1s; (e) Br 3d; (f) C 1s; (g) S 2p; (h) Si 2p; (i) Na 1s.

Fig.5 (a) UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra and (b) estimated band gap of pure Ag₃PO₄, the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?Na₂SiO₃ composite and the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?PTh?Na₂SiO₃ composite.

Fig.6 The photodegradation efficiency of RhB over pure Ag₃PO₄, the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?Na₂SiO₃ composite and the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?PTh?Na₂SiO₃ composite with different amounts of PTh.

Fig.7 The cyclic degradation of RhB for the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?PTh?Na₂SiO₃ composite.

Fig.8 The photocatalytic degradation of RhB over the Ag₃PO₄?AgBr?PTh?Na₂SiO₃ composite in the presence of t-BuOH, BZQ, and Na₂-EDTA.

Fig.9 Schematic drawing showing the process of the photodegradation RhB.

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