Facile deposition of Ag3PO4 on graphene-like MoS2 nanosheets for highly efficient photocatalysis

• A novel composite photocatalyst was synthesized by depositing Ag3PO4 on the graphene-like MoS2 nanosheets.
• Ag3PO4/MoS2 photocatalyst exhibited a high photocatalytic activity for RhB degradation.
• Graphene-like MoS2 nanosheets.
• MoS2 nanosheets play an important role in photocatalytic activity by serving as an effective acceptor of the photogenerated carriers.

A facile method for the in situ deposition of Ag3PO4 on graphene-like MoS2 nanosheets was developed to improve the photocatalytic performance of Ag3PO4 catalysts. The heterostructure of Ag3PO4/MoS2 composites was characterized by using X-ray diffraction spectra (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The prepared Ag3PO4/MoS2 photocatalyst exhibited a much higher photocatalytic activity than that of Ag3PO4 for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation (>400 nm). The improved photocatalytic activity of Ag3PO4/MoS2 is attributed to the efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs in the composite. This result provides a new perspective on the design of high-performance photocatalysts which is promising for energy applications.

The photocatalytic performance of Ag3PO4 was highly improved by the in situ deposition of Ag3PO4 particles on graphene-like MoS2 nanosheets.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide