Facile synthesis and characterization of core-shell structured Ag₃PO₄@Hal nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic properties

Ag₃PO₄ is considered to be an ideal candidate for water photo-oxidation and organic contaminant decomposition under visible light due to its appropriate band gap position, nontoxicity, and high quantum yield. However, the prominent low stability and adsorption capacity due to light corrosion hinders the performance improvement. Herein, Ag₃PO₄ particles coated by halloysite nanotubes (Hal) might display noticeably photocatalytic activities upon light excitation. The Ag₃PO₄@halloysite nanotubes (Ag₃PO₄@Hal) nanocomposites could be facile prepared in large quantities through a simple, green, and efficient direct precipitation method. Compared with the individually dispersed Ag₃PO₄ particles, the as-prepared Ag₃PO₄@Hal nanocomposites showed the smaller band gap energy. The Ag₃PO₄@Hal nanocomposites can endow Hal special performance and also improve the catalytic activity of Ag₃PO₄, which is proposed to have originated from narrow band gap, strong adsorption capacity and low surface recombination rate induced by a negative fixed charge in the Hal shells. The Ag₃PO₄@Hal nanocomposites can be used as highly efficient photocatalysts. The current study provides a new paradigm for designing new type nanocomposites with excellent collaborative performance.