One step synthesis of Ag/Ag3PO4/BiPO4 double-heterostructured nanocomposites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity and stability

Heterogeneous Ag/Ag3PO4/BiPO4 photocatalyst was synthesized by a one-step low temperature chemical bath method and exhibited better photocatalytic activity and better stability than those of individual Ag3PO4 or BiPO4 nanoparticles for photodegradation of organic compounds (Rhodamine B) in the absence of electron accepters under visible light (λ>420 nm). The enhanced photocatalytic performance is mainly ascribed to the strong visible-light absorption originating from high efficient separations of photogenerated electron–hole pairs through Ag3PO4/BiPO4 and Ag/Ag3PO4 heterostructures.