Ag3PO4 Nanoparticles Decorated Hexagonal α-Fe2O3 Nanoplates with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

In this work, a series of Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles decorated hexagonal α-Fe₂O₃ nanoplates with different Ag₃PO₄ contents were synthesized by combining solvothermal method and ultrasonic-assisted chemical precipitation method for the first time. Structure, morphology, and chemical composition of as-synthesized products were analyzed with the aid of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectro-scopy (FT-IR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray energy dispersive analysis (EDS). Additionally, the photocatalytic performance of the samples was evaluated by investigating the degradation process of Orange II (OII) under visible-light irradiation. Compared with pure α-Fe₂O₃, all α‑Fe₂O₃/Ag₃PO₄ samples exhibit enhanced activity. The decoration of Ag₃PO₄ could enhance the photocatalytic activity of α-Fe₂O₃ effectively, and increasing the loading amount of Ag₃PO₄ could further improve the photocatalytic activity of α-Fe₂O₃/Ag₃PO₄ samples. The results of this study should be useful for the further application of α-Fe₂O₃/Ag₃PO₄ composite photocatalysts with different microstructures.