title: Co(II)-grafted Ag3PO4 photocatalysts with unexpected photocatalytic ability: Enhanced photogenerated charge separation efficiency, photocatalytic mechanism and activity.
abstract: Since the photocatalytic capability is determined by the separation and transmission efficiency of photoinduced charges, its improvement remains a challenge for development of efficient photocatalysts. Here, we made large improvement on the surface of Ag3PO4 using Co(II)-grafted Ag3PO4 by a hydrothermal method. During the photocatalytic process, Co(II) was oxidized to Co(III) by the photogenerated holes under visible light radiation, which enhanced the separation efficiency of photogenerated charges. Meanwhile, the Co(III) as-formed could oxidize dye molecules, which recovered the Co(II). The synergy of Co(II) and Ag3PO4 greatly promoted the separation and transmission efficiency of the photogenerated charges, and severely improved the photocatalytic activity of Ag3PO4. The surface grafted Co(II) on Ag3PO4 is responsible for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity.
authors.affiliation: College of Textile Engineering, Zhejiang Industry Polytechnic College, Shaoxing 312000, PR China.
authors.forename: Shuna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China. Electronic address: zhangshujuan@tust.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Shujuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Environment and Chemical Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Hollow-Fiber Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin 300387, PR China. Electronic address: songlmnk@sohu.com.
authors.forename: Limin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D003035:Cobalt / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D008027:Light; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010710:Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents; D010710:Phosphates; D018030:Silver Compounds; D003035:Cobalt; C100258:methyl orange; C039072:silver phosphate
keywords: Co(II)–grafted Ag(3)PO(4); Enhanced mechanism; Methyl orange; Photodegradation; Photogenerated charges separation and transmission efficiency