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Synthesis of an Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>/Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Dye
oleh: Nur Syazwani Osman, Siti Norhasimah Sulaiman, Ernee Noryana Muhamad, Hayati Mukhair, Sin Tee Tan, Abdul Halim Abdullah
Format: | Article |
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Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2021-04-01 |
Deskripsi
In this work, the photocatalytic performance of Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>, Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> and Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>/Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> hybrid photocatalysts to degrade methyl orange dye, MO, in an aqueous solution under visible light irradiation was evaluated. The Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> and Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>/Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> photocatalysts, with various Ag to Nb molar ratios, were prepared using a facile precipitation method. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV–Visible, X-ray Photoelectron, and Photoluminescence spectroscopies. Upon the addition of Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>, the band gap energy of Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> decreased from 3.0 eV to 2.7 eV, indicating the possible use of the Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>/Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> hybrid photocatalysts under visible light irradiation. All of the prepared Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>/Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> catalysts exhibited higher photocatalytic performance than Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> in degrading methyl orange dye under 23-watt visible light irradiation. The Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>/Nb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> catalyst, with a mole ratio of 2:1, exhibited the fastest MO degradation rate of 7.3 × 10<sup>−2</sup> min<sup>−1</sup>, which is twice faster than that of Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>. The catalyst also shows better stability, as it is reusable for up to six experimental cycles while maintaining its photocatalytic activity above 60%.