Synthesis of an Ag3PO4/AlPO4 composites for enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Novel non-porous Ag3PO4/AlPO4 composites with a stick shape were synthesized using the homogeneous precipitation method and characterized by XRD, FESEM, XPS, UV-vis spectroscopy and BET method. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by degradation of MB and MO upon irradiation with visible light. Results indicate that when the molar ratios of Ag3PO4 to AlPO4 are 6:4 or higher, remarkable increases in photocatalytic activity were observed compared with the pure Ag3PO4 powder. The possible mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of dyes by Ag3PO4/AlPO4 composites was proposed.