2017 Volume 125 Issue 3 Pages 141-144
Based on a sonochemical route, the effect of trisodium citrate and acetic acid, which served as the structure-directing agents, on the synthesis of Ag3PO4 nano/micro structures was investigated. It is found that the sample prepared at n(AgNO3) = 3 mmol, n(KH2PO4) = 2 mmol, n(Na3Cit) = 1 mmol and n(CH3COOH) = 3 mL is composed of coral-like microspheres. When varying the contents of reagents to other levels or in the absence of acetic acid, it brings about the formation of mesoporous microspheres or polyhedrons. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared Ag3PO4 samples was evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated-sunlight irradiation. Compared to the mesoporous microspheres or polyhedrons, the coral-like microspheres exhibit a superior photocatalytic activity, and the degradation percentage of RhB after photocatalysis reaction for 60 min reaches 96.8%.