Photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A by Ag3PO4 under visible light

Ag3PO4 catalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance in the degradation and the mineralization of bisphenol A, displaying considerably higher photocatalytic activity than N–TiO2 under visible light (λ > 420 nm). The trapping effects of different scavengers and spectrophotometric results proved that the oxidation of bisphenol A mainly occurred at photogenerated holes on the Ag3PO4 surface, along with a two-electron reduction of dissolved oxygen to H2O2.

Graphical abstractAg3PO4 catalysts exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance in the degradation and mineralization of bisphenol A under visible-light irradiation. The degradation mechanism mainly occurs through direct hole oxidation and the concurrent two-electron reduction of dissolved oxygen to H2O2.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Ag3PO4 photocatalyst is firstly applied to the degradation of bisphenol A. ► Ag3PO4 shows excellent photocatalytic performance and higher activity than N–TiO2 under visible light. ► The Ag3PO4-catalyzed degradation of bisphenol A mainly results from direct hole oxidation. ► The concurrent reduction of dissolved oxygen to H2O2 occurs via two-electron reduction.