Synthesis of few-layer MoS2 nanosheet-loaded Ag3PO4 for enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Novel few-layer MoS₂/Ag₃PO₄ composites were fabricated. The results indicated that Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles were directly formed on the surface of few-layer MoS₂. The physical and chemical properties of the few-layer MoS₂/Ag₃PO₄ composite photocatalysts were tested in order to investigate the effects of few-layer MoS₂ on the photocatalytic activity of Ag₃PO₄. The photocatalytic activity of the few-layer MoS₂/Ag₃PO₄ composites was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and bisphenol A (BPA) under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of the few-layer MoS₂/Ag₃PO₄ composites was higher than that of pure Ag₃PO₄. The optimal few-layer MoS₂ content for the organic pollutant degradation of the heterojunction structures was determined. The synergic effect between few-layer MoS₂ and Ag₃PO₄ was found to lead to an improved photogenerated carrier separation. The stability and the possible photocatalytic mechanism of the composites were also discussed.