Highly photocatalytic activity of novel nano-sized Ag3PO4 for Rhodamine B degradation under visible light irradiation

Ag3PO4 nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by precipitation of AgNO3 and H3PO4 in the presence of oleylamine. The products were characterized by XRD, UV–vis and FE-SEM. It showed that the particle sizes of products ranged from 5 to 10 nm depending on the synthesis conditions. UV–vis result revealed a strong light absorbance in the visible light region at 470–475 nm. Photocatalytic activities of TiO2 and Ag3PO4 nanoparticles were tested in photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. In comparison to nano-TiO2, nano-sized Ag3PO4 samples exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity in the RhB degradation. After 3 h of reaction, the conversion reached the value of 96%.

► This is one of the new photocatalysts.
► This material is nano-sized Ag3PO4.
► To test photocatalytic activity we used Rhodamine B for irradiation (type of toxic organic compounds).
► The light we use for the test is visible light (suitable and easy for application).
► In nano-sizes this material has much useful properties for application.