Template-free and eco-friendly synthesis of hierarchical Ag3PO4 microcrystals with sharp corners and edges for enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light

• We demonstrate a template-free method to synthesize hierarchical Ag3PO4 microcrystals.
• The as-synthesized Ag3PO4 possess a hierarchical structure with sharp corners and edges.
• Hierarchical Ag3PO4 showed significantly enhanced visible light active photocatalysis.
• Hierarchical Ag3PO4 is also useful for drug delivery, gas separation, and luminescence applications.

Herein, we demonstrate a template-free and eco-friendly strategy to synthesize hierarchical Ag3PO4 microcrystals with sharp corners and edges via silver–ammine complex at room temperature. The as-synthesized hierarchical Ag3PO4 microcrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), BET surface area analyzer, and photoluminescence analysis (PL). Our results clearly indicated that the as-synthesized Ag3PO4 microcrystals possess a hierarchical structure with sharp corners and edges. More attractively, the adsorption ability and visible light photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized hierarchical Ag3PO4 is much higher than that of conventional Ag3PO4.