Highly efficient Ag3 PO4 /g-C3 N4 Z-scheme photocatalyst for its enhanced photocatalytic performance in degradation of rhodamine B and phenol

Abstract

Ag3 PO4 /g-C3 N4 heterojunctions, with different g-C3 N4 dosages, were synthesized using an in situ deposition method, and the photocatalytic performance of g-C3 N4 /Ag3 PO4 heterojunc-tions was studied under simulated sunlight conditions. The results revealed that Ag3 PO4 /g-C3 N4 exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation activity for rhodamine B (Rh B) and phenol under the same light conditions. When the dosage of g-C3 N4 was 30%, the degradation rate of Rh B at 9 min and phenol at 30 min was found to be 99.4% and 97.3%, respectively. After five cycles of the degradation experiment for Rh B, g-C3 N4 /Ag3 PO4 still demonstrated stable photodegradation characteristics. The significant improvement in the photocatalytic activity and stability of g-C3 N4 /Ag3 PO4 was attributed to the rapid charge separation between g-C3 N4 and Ag3 PO4 during the Z-scheme charge transfer and recombination process.