Graphene quantum dots modified Ag₃PO₄ for facile synthesis and the enhanced photocatalytic performance

ABSTRACT

The graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with outstanding electron conductivity and good optical properties modified Ag₃PO₄ composites were prepared by a simple two-step method. Compared to pure Ag₃PO₄, the GQDs/Ag₃PO₄ composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activities for degradation Rhodamine B (RhB) and 4-Chlorophenol (4-CP) under the visible-light irradiation. More interestingly, the stabilities of Ag₃PO₄ were also been improved after introducing GQDs. The possible reaction mechanism was proposed by discussing comprehensive characterizations, which indicated that the GQDs can work as electron acceptors to enhance separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The structure-activity relationships have been studied in detail. The active species was determined and photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.

KEYWORDS:

• Graphene quantum dots
• Ag₃PO₄
• photocatalytic
• electron acceptors

Acknowledement

This work was supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China [grant number 21476097], [grant number 21776118]; Six Talent Peaks project in Jiangsu Province [grant number 2014-JNHB-014], a project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions; and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [grant number BK20161363].

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China [grant number 21476097], [grant number 21776118]; Six Talent Peaks Project in Jiangsu Province [grant number 2014-JNHB-014], a project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions; and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [grant number BK20161363].