Synthesis and Visible light Photocatalytic Properties of Iron Oxide-Silver Orthophosphate Composites

摘要

The iron oxide-silver orthophosphate composites were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method using Fe(NO_3)_3.9H_2O, AgNO_3, and Na_2HPO_4.12 H_2O, followed by calcination at 500°C for 5 hours. The Fe/Ag mole ratios of iron oxide-silver orthophosphate composites were designed at 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4. The samples were characterized using X-ray Diffraction, Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Specific Surface Area. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated using Rhodamine B degradation under visible light irradiation. The iron oxide-silver orthophosphate composite with the Fe/Ag mole ratio of 0.2 exhibited higher photocatalytic activity compared to the pure Ag_3PO_4 under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the effective separation of hole (+) and electron pairs in the iron oxide-silver orthophosphate composite.