Simple precipitation synthesis and solar light-driven photocatalytic degradation of Ag₃PO₄ floating photocatalysts

Abstract A highly efficient and stable photocatalyst, Ag 3 PO 4 , was prepared using a simple co-precipitation method at room temperature. The precursors used in this process were AgNO 3 and K 2 HPO 4 . The resulting Ag 3 PO 4 photocatalyst forms irregularly-shaped spheres with diameters ranging from 300 to 1 μm. The shape of the Ag 3 PO 4 photocatalyst slightly changes when different surfactants (PVA, PVP, PEG) are used. The powdered Ag 3 PO 4 photocatalyst exhibits excellent visible light-driven photocatalytic performance. It is capable of decomposing rhodamine B (RhB) as a model pollutant in just 5 min under visible light irradiation. This performance is quite remarkable. Interestingly, Ag 3 PO 4 floating composite sheets have been achieved using polystyrene (PS) and fumed silica Aerosil 200. After three cycles, the decolorization of RhB dyes remains at 87% with the 30% Ag 3 PO 4 @PS/Aerosil 200 sheet. This indicates that the Ag 3 PO 4 @PS/Aerosil 200 photocatalyst is highly reusable and stable.