The Multiple Promotion Effects of Ammonium Phosphate-Modified Ag3PO4 on Photocatalytic Performance

• Published in: Frontiers in chemistry 2019-12, Vol.7, p.866-866
• Main Authors: Liu, Qin, Li, Na, Qiao, Zheng, Li, Wenjuan, Wang, Linlin, Zhu, Shuao, Jing, Zhihong, Yan, Tingjiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ag3PO4; ammonium phosphate; Chemistry; metallic Ag; reactive species; surface modification
• ISSN: 2296-2646; 2296-2646
• DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00866

Phosphate ( PO 4 3 - ) modification of semiconductor photocatalysts such as TiO 2 , C 3 N 4 , BiVO 4 , and etc. has been shown positive effect on the enhancement of photocatalytic performance. In the present study, we demonstrate a novel one-pot surface modification route on Ag 3 PO 4 photocatalyst by ammonium phosphate [(NH 4 ) 3 PO 4 ], which combines PO 4 3 - modification with ammonium ( NH 4 + ) etching to show multiple effects on the structural variation of Ag 3 PO 4 samples. The modified Ag 3 PO 4 photocatalysts exhibit much higher photocatalytic performance than bare Ag 3 PO 4 for the degradation of organic dye solutions under visible light irradiation. It is indicated that the NH 4 + etching favors the surface transition from Ag 3 PO 4 to metallic Ag nanoparticles, resulting in the fast capture of photogenerated electrons and the followed generation of O 2 · − radicals. The strongly adsorbed PO 4 3 - on the Ag 3 PO 4 surfaces can further provide more negative electrostatic field, which improves the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs by inducing the holes to directly flow to the surface and then enhances the formation of reactive · OH radicals. Furthermore, the photocatalytic performance of the modified Ag 3 PO 4 photocatalysts can be optimized by monitoring the concentration of (NH 4 ) 3 PO 4 that is 1 mM.