Synthesis of the visible-light-driven AgVO/AgPO/Ag photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity

A novel visible-light-driven Ag 3 VO 4 /Ag 3 PO 4 /Ag photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via an anion-exchange reaction and characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of prepared catalysts were evaluated by degradation of acid blue 92 (AB92) aqueous solutions under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic results indicated that the synthesized Ag 3 VO 4 /Ag 3 PO 4 /Ag hybrid displays a significantly enhanced activity in degradation of acid blue 92 under visible light compared with pure Ag 3 VO 4 . The improved photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the efficient separation of photo-induced electrons and holes in the composite. A possible mechanism has been proposed for this improvement. A novel Ag 3 VO 4 /Ag 3 PO 4 /Ag photocatalyst is reported with enhanced photocatalytic activity.