The pH dependence of Ag3PO4 synthesis on visible light photocatalytic activities

Abstract

The Ag3PO4 morphology modification may affect the photocatalytic activity due to changing the surface energy. It may be designed by coprecipitation under different pH solutions. The pH dependence of Ag3PO4 synthesis on photocatalytic reactivities was investigated. The Ag3PO4 photocatalysts were synthesized in water-ethanol mixture solution under variation of pH from 3 to 11. The products were characterized using XRD, DRS, SEM, and BET specific surface area. Photocatalytic activities were studied using the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the mixed morphologies of the sphere, cube, tetrahedron, and irregular were formed. The highest activity of Ag3PO4 was obtained from the synthesis at a pH of 11, which may be caused by a smaller particle size and a higher amount of tetrahedron.