Photocatalytic activity of attapulgite–TiO2–Ag3PO4 ternary nanocomposite for degradation of Rhodamine B under simulated solar irradiation

Abstract

An excellent ternary composite photocatalyst consisting of silver orthophosphate (Ag3PO4), attapulgite (ATP), and TiO2 was synthesized, in which heterojunction was formed between dissimilar semiconductors to promote the separation of photo-generated charges. The ATP/TiO2/Ag3PO4 composite was characterized by SEM, XRD, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The co-deposition of Ag3PO4 and TiO2 nanoparticles onto the surface of ATP forms a lath-particle structure. Compared with composite photocatalysts consisting of two phases, ATP/TiO2/Ag3PO4 ternary composite exhibits greatly improved photocatalytic activity for degradation of rhodamine B under simulated solar irradiation. Such ternary composite not only improves the stability of Ag3PO4, but also lowers the cost by reducing application amount of Ag3PO4, which provides guidance for the design of Ag3PO4- and Ag-based composites for photocatalytic applications.

Fabrication of MIL-53(Fe)/Ag3PO4 cooperative photoreduction of Ag0 particles with outstanding efficiency for photodriven H2 evolution and pollutant degradation

“…Therefore, it is expected that the MFAA 10.5 composite will show an improved visible light catalytic performance compared to MIL-53(Fe). In addition, the bandgap energies ( E g ) of the composites can be calculated according to the Kubelka–Munk eqn (1): 31 ( ahv ) = A ( hv − E g ) n /2 where α stands for the absorption coefficient, h is the Planck constant and ν is the light frequency. A is a constant and the bandgap energy can be represented by E g .…”

Heterogeneous Photocatalysis Scalability for Environmental Remediation: Opportunities and Challenges

“…Depending on the solution pH, ZnO photocatalyst can also be subjected to photodissolution during HPC reaction in the aqueous media (i.e., direct attack of the photon on the surface of Zn-O bonds, followed by the release of Zn ions (at pH = 3-5) or Zn hydroxide (at pH = 10)) [12]. Likewise, the photonic stability of ATP/TiO 2 /Ag 3 PO 4 composite could be deteriorated as a result of the photoreduction of Ag + (in the Ag 3 PO 4 ) into metallic Ag (Ag + + e − + hv→Ag) during the HPC reaction [13].…”

“…Depending on the solution pH, ZnO photocatalyst can also be subjected to photodissolution during HPC reaction in the aqueous media (i.e., direct attack of the photon on the surface of Zn-O bonds, followed by the release of Zn ions (at pH = 3-5) or Zn hydroxide (at pH = 10)) [12]. Likewise, the photonic stability of ATP/TiO2/Ag3PO4 composite could be deteriorated as a result of the photoreduction of Ag + (in the Ag3PO4) into metallic Ag (Ag + + e − +hv→Ag) during the HPC reaction [13]. In addition, the use of HPC technology for air purification (e.g., ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)) faces challenges of (i) poor effectiveness removing low (sub-ppm)concentration hazardous pollutants (e.g., volatile organic compounds (VOCs)), (ii) high energy consumption (UV-A light use), (iii) long reaction duration, and (iv) difficult photocatalytic reactor optimization (photon and mass transfer control) [14].…”

Application of mixture experimental design for photocatalytic ammonia degradation by sunlight‐driven WO 3 ‐Ag 3 PO 4 ‐ZnO ternary photocatalysts

“…Recently, various ternary photocatalysts containing Ag 3 PO 4 , ZnO, and WO 3 have been constructed and applied for different photocatalytic applications. Attapulgite‐TiO 2 ‐Ag 3 PO 4 is one of ternary photocatalyst containing Ag 3 PO 4 that was used for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamin B under simulated solar light . The heterojunction of these dissimilar semiconductors promoted the separation of charge carriers and led to the stability of Ag 3 PO 4 interestingly.…”

“…Attapulgite-TiO 2 -Ag 3 PO 4 is one of ternary photocatalyst containing Ag 3 PO 4 that was used for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamin B under simulated solar light. 43 The heterojunction of these dissimilar semiconductors promoted the separation of charge carriers and led to the stability of Ag 3 PO 4 interestingly. Another ternary heterojunction consisting of ZnO, ZnO-ZnS-g-C 3 N 4 , was used for efficient H 2 evolution from water splitting.…”