The synthesis of Ag3PO4 under graphene oxide and hydroxyapatite aqueous dispersion for enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

The development of Ag3PO4 photocatalyst for organic pollutant degradation is very challenging due to excellent activity under visible light exposure. The research aims to synthesize Ag3PO4 under graphene oxide (GO) and hydroxyapatite (HA) as a phosphate ion source for Rhodamin B degradation. The Ag3PO4/GO was prepared using the precipitation method with the starting material of graphene oxide aqueous dispersion, AgNO3, and hydroxyapatite suspension. The structure, absorption, morphology, and element composition of photocatalysts were studied using XRD, DRS, SEM, and EDX. Photocatalytic abilities of the samples were tested using RhB oxidation under blue light exposure. The results exhibited that GO improves the crystallinity andvisibleabsorption spectrum of Ag3PO4. Incorporating GO on Ag3PO4 decreases the ratio of O/Ag and O/P leading to a defect formation. The reaction mechanism on the surface of the photocatalyst was mainly run by holes and superoxide radical ions. The modification of Ag3PO4 using hydroxyapatite and GO improved photocatalytic activity.