Controlled synthesis of Ag3PO4/BiVO4 composites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance for the degradation of RhB and 2, 4-DCP

• Ag3PO4/BiVO4 composites were synthesized by in-situ precipitation method.
• Ag3PO4/BiVO4 is more efficient than pure Ag3PO4 and BiVO4 for RhB and 2, 4-DCP degradation.
• Ag3PO4/BiVO4 can act as a high performance and low cost photocatalyst.

Ag3PO4/BiVO4 composites were fabricated by in-situ precipitation method. Results showed that Ag3PO4/BiVO4 composites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than that of pure BiVO4 and Ag3PO4 sample under visible light irradiation. The effect of Ag3PO4:BiVO4 ratio on the photocatalytic activity was systemically studied and the optimum molar ratio of Ag3PO4:BiVO4 was 1:5. The Ag3PO4/BiVO4-5 exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B (ca. 92% in 30 min) and 2, 4-dichlorophenol (ca. 84% in 180 min) under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be mainly ascribed to the suitable Ag3PO4/BiVO4 heterojunction interface and the smaller particles of Ag3PO4 compared to pure Ag3PO4 particles which could promote the separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs. The Ag3PO4/BiVO4 composite can significantly reduce the silver consumption compared to the pure Ag3PO4. It is worth noting that Ag3PO4/BiVO4 composite can act as a high performance and low cost visible-light-driven photocatalyst for environmental remediation.

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