The Multiple Promotion Effects of Ammonium Phosphate-Modified Ag(3)PO(4) on Photocatalytic Performance

Phosphate ([Formula: see text]) modification of semiconductor photocatalysts such as TiO(2), C(3)N(4), BiVO(4), and etc. has been shown positive effect on the enhancement of photocatalytic performance. In the present study, we demonstrate a novel one-pot surface modification route on Ag(3)PO(4) photocatalyst by ammonium phosphate [(NH(4))(3)PO(4)], which combines [Formula: see text] modification with ammonium ([Formula: see text]) etching to show multiple effects on the structural variation of Ag(3)PO(4) samples. The modified Ag(3)PO(4) photocatalysts exhibit much higher photocatalytic performance than bare Ag(3)PO(4) for the degradation of organic dye solutions under visible light irradiation. It is indicated that the [Formula: see text] etching favors the surface transition from Ag(3)PO(4) to metallic Ag nanoparticles, resulting in the fast capture of photogenerated electrons and the followed generation of [Formula: see text] radicals. The strongly adsorbed [Formula: see text] on the Ag(3)PO(4) surfaces can further provide more negative electrostatic field, which improves the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs by inducing the holes to directly flow to the surface and then enhances the formation of reactive ·OH radicals. Furthermore, the photocatalytic performance of the modified Ag(3)PO(4) photocatalysts can be optimized by monitoring the concentration of (NH(4))(3)PO(4) that is 1 mM.