Photocatalytic degradation of model pollutants using ZnO/Ag3PO4 heterostructure thin films under visible and solar irradiation

Abstract

ZnO/Ag3PO4 heterostructure-based thin films were prepared by hydrothermal and SILAR deposition processes. The prepared samples were characterized for their morphology, structure, and optical properties using SEM, XRD, EDS, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and PL spectroscopy. Ag3PO4 modifies the light absorption characteristics significantly, with a considerable absorbance in the visible region found for ZnO. Under visible light and sunlight irradiation, Ag3PO4–ZnO nanorod-based heterostructure displayed substantially more substantial photocatalytic activity toward MB degradation, as well as superior recyclability and stability than pure ZnO nanorods. The Ag3PO4–ZnO nanorod combination with a 5 times dip of Ag3PO4 had the excellent photodegradation efficiency of MB (86%) compared to pure ZnO nanorods (60%) under visible irradiation.