Ag_3PO_4 photocatalyst: Hydrothermal preparation and enhanced O_2 evolution under visible-light irradiation

摘要

Visible-light-driven semiconducting photocatalysts of Ag_3PO_4 were prepared by a hydro-thermal method, and were optimized by adjusting reaction conditions, i.e., temperature, pH of reaction solution, concentration of feedstock, and time of hydrothermal process. The obtained photocatalysts were then systematically characterized by different instruments, such as XRD, UV-vis, FESEM, and BET, to reveal the physicochemical properties. Furthermore, activities of photocatalysts for visible-light-driven O_2 evolution were evaluated, demonstrating that the photocatalytic activity of Ag_3PO_4 prepared by hydrothermal reaction (initial rate of O_2 evolution, 1156 nmol g~(-1) h~(-2)) was more than two times as that of sample prepared by room-temperature reaction (initial rate of O_2 evolution, 533 μmol g~(-1) h~(-1)), which could be attributed to its better ability to utilize visible light and more regulated morphology.