Ag3PO4 quantum dots loaded on the surface of leaf-like InVO4/BiVO4 heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic activity

• Ag3PO4/InVO4/BiVO4 heterostructure was successfully synthesized.
• The heterostructure included Ag3PO4 QDs assembling on the surface of InVO4/BiVO4.
• Ag3PO4/InVO4/BiVO4 sample exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Leaf-like InVO4/BiVO4 nanoarchitectures with scale of 2 μm–5 μm were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. Ag3PO4 quantum dots (QDs) were then deposited onto the surface of leaf-like InVO4/BiVO4 crystals via a simple deposition–precipitation technique. The photocatalytic tests displayed that the Ag3PO4/InVO4/BiVO4 nanocomposite possesses a much higher rate for degradation of rhodamine B (Rh B) than the sum of BiVO4, InVO4, Ag3PO4, Ag3PO4/InVO4, Ag3PO4/BiVO4 or InVO4/BiVO4 under visible light irradiation. The observed improvement in photocatalytic performance is associated with the extended absorption in the visible light region resulting from the Ag3PO4 QD loading, the high specific surface area, and the effective separation of photogenerated carriers at the Ag3PO4/InVO4/BiVO4 interfaces.

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