A one-pot synthesis of AgBr/Ag3PO4 composite photocatalysts

Abstract

In this study, an AgBr/Ag₃PO₄ (ABAP) photocatalyst has been prepared via a facile one-pot anion-exchange method. SEM, XRD, XPS and UV-Vis DRS characterization techniques are carried out to study the structural and physicochemical characteristics of the AgBr/Ag₃PO₄ composites. The ABAP photocatalyst exhibited outstanding photocatalytic capability for the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The optimal ABAP-48% composite displayed the highest photocatalytic activity; a complete degradation was attained in 25 min under visible light irradiation. The excellent stability and reusability of ABAP catalysts were examined by five subsequent runs. A probable degradation mechanism of ABAP composites was carefully surveyed. Furthermore, radical trapping experiments confirmed that the ˙O₂⁻ radical was the main active species in the photodegradation reaction.