Ag_3PO_4/ZnO: An efficient visible-light-sensitized composite with its application in photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B

摘要

The efficient visible-light-sensitized Ag_3PO_4/ZnO composites with various weight percents of Ag_3PO_4 were prepared by a facile ball milling method. The photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, DRS, SEM, EDS, XPS, and BET specific area. The *OH radicals produced during the photocatalytic reaction was detected by the TA-PL technique. The photocatalytic property of Ag_3PO_4/ZnO was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. Significantly, the results revealed that the photocatalytic activity of the composites was much higher than that of pure Ag_3PO_4 and ZnO. The rate constant of RhB degradation over Ag_3PO_4(3.0 wt.%)/ZnO is 3 times that of single-phase Ag_3PO_4. The optimal percentage of Ag_3PO_4 in the composite is 3.0 wt.%. It is proposed that the *OH radicals produced in the valence band of ZnO play the leading role in the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B by Ag_3PO_4/ZnO systems under visible light irradiation.