Space-confined growth of Ag3PO4 nanoparticles within WS2 sheets: Ag3PO4/WS2 composites as visible-light-driven photocatalysts for decomposing dyes

Abstract

A highly efficient Ag₃PO₄/WS₂ composite photocatalyst was synthesized by controlling the growth of Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles within WS₂ sheets. The process can tune the microstructure, stability and visible-light photocatalytic performance of Ag₃PO₄. The WS₂ sheets, possessing uncoordinated sulfur atoms on exposed surfaces and edges, play an important role in the formation of Ag₃PO₄/WS₂ composite. With 0.05 mol of AgAc added, the Ag₃PO₄/WS₂ composite shows the highest photocatalytic activity. The matched energy level between Ag₃PO₄ and WS₂ inhibits the recombination of the photogenerated electrons and holes. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is also attributed to the multi-interface heterojunction structure assembled by two-dimensional sheets and nanoparticles, driven by chemical binding. The addition of WS₂ sheets can also reduce the rate at which Ag⁺ dissolves from Ag₃PO₄ into the water, improving the stability of Ag₃PO₄. This work could provide new insights into fabricating highly efficient and stable Ag₃PO₄-transition-metal dichalcogenide composite photocatalysts for dye degradation.