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

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 92; pp. 57 - 60
• Main Authors: Vu, Tuan A., Dao, Canh D., Hoang, Thuy T.T., Nguyen, Kien T., Le, Giang H., Dang, Phuong T., Tran, Hoa T.K., Nguyen, Tuyen V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-02-2013
• Subjects: absorbance; irradiation; Nano-sized Ag3PO4; nanoparticles; photolysis; Rhodamine B degradation; silver nitrate; titanium dioxide; Visible light; X-ray diffraction; Rhodamine B degradation; Nano-sized Ag3PO4; Visible light
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2012.10.023

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 10nm depending on the synthesis conditions. UV–vis result revealed a strong light absorbance in the visible light region at 470–475nm. 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 3h 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.