Fabrication of a Novel CNT-COO(−)/Ag(3)PO(4)@AgIO(4)Composite with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity under Natural Sunlight

In this study, a carboxylated carbon nanotube-grafted Ag(3)PO(4)@AgIO(4) (CNT-COO(−)/Ag(3)PO(4)@AgIO(4)) composite was synthesized through an in situ electrostatic deposition method. The synthesized composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The electron transfer ability of the synthesized composite was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CNT-COO(−)/Ag(3)PO(4)@AgIO(4) composite exhibited higher activity than CNT/Ag(3)PO(4)@AgIO(4), Ag(3)PO(4)@AgIO(4), and bare Ag(3)PO(4). The material characterization and the detailed study of the various parameters thataffect the photocatalytic reaction revealed that the enhanced catalytic activity is related to the good interfacial interaction between CNT-COO and Ag(3)PO(4). The energy band structure analysis is further considered as a reason for multi-electron reaction enhancement. The results and discussion in this study provide important information for the use of the functionalized CNT-COOH in the field of photocatalysis. Moreover, providinga new way to functionalize CNT viadifferent functional groups may lead to further development in the field of photocatalysis. This work could provide a new way to use natural sunlight to facilitate the practical application of photocatalysts toenvironmental issues.