Preparation of ternary Ag/Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 hybrid photocatalysts and their enhanced photocatalytic activity driven by visible light

The preparation of a series of ternary Ag/Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 hybrid photocatalysts, which display enhanced photocatalytic activity, was reported. The crystal structure, morphology, composition, optical absorption, and efficient separation of charge carriers were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements. Using rhodamine B as a model contaminant, the as-prepared Ag/Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 hybrid photocatalyst exhibited superior degradation performance under visible light irradiation than Ag3PO4 or binary Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 hybrid photocatalyst systems. The surface plasmon resonance of the 40 nm-silver nanoparticles formed on the surface of Ag3PO4 and the heterojunction formed at the interface between Ag3PO4 and g-C3N4, are considered to be the major physical-chemical origin and to be responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Graphical AbstractTernary Ag/Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 photocatalyst exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity driven by visible light, attributed to surface plasmon resonance of 40 nm-silver nanoparticles formed on the surface of Ag3PO4, and the heterojunction at the interface between Ag3PO4 and g-C3N4.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide