Surface decoration of spherical Ag3PO4 with Ag embedded nano-cocoon BiPO4 nano-heterojunction photocatalyst with improved photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride and industrial dyes

Abstract

Significant research interest has been focused on the development of superior visible-active photocatalysts. Herein, we have developed Ag hybrid p-n junction of Ag3PO4/BiPO4 via P123 assisted co-precipitation method at different molar ratios. An intergrowth structure composed of spherical Ag3PO4 decorated with nano-cocoon BiPO4 was found to be formed at optimized molar ratio. Thorough analysis reveals that Ag NPs with an average size of 9 nm have tightly scattered on the surface of the nano-cocoons BiPO4. The well heterostructure formation is an effective strategy to boost the photocatalytic activity of the materials. The photocatalytic activity of the heterostructure with an optimal molar ratio over tetracycline hydrochloride demonstrated 81.4% degradation in 30 min with a reaction rate 3.21 times faster than pure Ag3PO4. The use of an optimized photocatalyst extends the light absorption, diminishes the charge carrier recombination process with build in electric fields at the interface and carrier transfer across the p-n junction. Moreover, superoxide radical O2•− species are found to be participated dominantly in the photocatalytic reaction. Based on the findings, a plausible mechanism was developed to demonstrate the elevated photocatalytic activity. A real sample analysis of textile effluents and the degradation of dyes, including MB, RhB, CR, and MO, were also investigated.