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

Abstract

Novel non-porous Ag 3 PO 4 /AlPO 4 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 Ag 3 PO 4 to AlPO 4 are 6:4 or higher, remarkable increases in photocatalytic activity were observed compared with the pure Ag 3 PO 4 powder. The possible mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of dyes by Ag 3 PO 4 /AlPO 4 composites was proposed.