Size-controlled synthesis of palygorskite/Ag3PO4 nanocomposites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

The synthesis of nanoparticles with a tight control on their sizes is a requirement for many nanotechnologies and application goals. Herein, a simple method has been reported to prepare size-controlled Ag3PO4 nanoparticles deposited on the surface of palygorskite (PAL) nanorods (called as PAL/Ag3PO4 nanocomposites). The particle size of Ag3PO4 could be well controlled by adjusting the concentration of PAL due to its typical negative surface charges and specific colloidal-rheological properties. Results show that the optimal content of PAL (20 mass%) could be selected to obtain the perfect Ag3PO4 nanoparticles with the average diameter size of 10 nm and the visible-light photocatalytic activity and stability of PAL/Ag3PO4 nanocomposites for degrading 10 mg/L methyl orange (MO) solution were enhanced. This new work can provide a promising strategy for controllable preparation and efficient application of nanomaterials.