Preparation of the floating HGMs-Ag3PO4 composites and the visible-light photocatalytic properties

Abstract

The hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) with low density were used as the support to obtain the floating visible-light photocatalysts (HGMs–Ag _3 PO _4 ) composites, in which silver orthophosphate (Ag _3 PO _4 ) was dispersed on the surface of HGMs via silane coupling agents. The morphology, crystal structure and optical property of the HGMs-Ag _3 PO _4 composites were characterized and the contents of Ag _3 PO _4 dispersed on the surface of HGMs were quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Methylene blue (MB) was selected as the typical organic pollutants to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of HGMs-Ag _3 PO _4 composite photocatalysts. The photo-catalytic rate of the floating composites was larger than the sinking composites and even pure Ag _3 PO _4 . Ag _3 PO _4 particles could be dispersed well on the HGMs. The floating composites has a larger light contact area and the increased photo-catalytic activity sites even at the low Ag _3 PO _4 loading. This work may open up a new insight for the floating photocatalyst to degrade organic dye on account of the low density and high visible-light responsiveness.

Keywords

• Hollow glass microspheres
• silver orthophosphate
• visible-light
• photocatalytic
• methylene blue