In situ synthesis of Ag3PO4/cellulose nanocomposites with photocatalytic activities under sunlight

In this work, we developed a strategy for Ag3PO4/cellulose nanocomposite hydrogels via in situ reduction and oxidation of Ag3PO4 nanoparticles in a cellulose matrix. The results of FT-IR, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy proved that the Ag3PO4 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized in situ in the cellulose hydrogels. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicated that various Ag3PO4 nanoparticles were synthesized, and they were dispersed uniformly in the regenerated cellulose hydrogels without aggregation with an average diameter of Ag3PO4 particles from 3.1 +/- A 2.7 to 11 +/- A 4.5 nm with an increase in Ag ion concentration. The photocatalytic degradation test of Ag3PO4/cellulose nanocomposite hydrogels provided evidence for the excellent photocatalytic degradation activity to rhodamine B under natural sunlight. Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation efficient increased with increasing Ag3PO4 concentration, where the decreasing of the Ag3PO4 nanoparticle size could increase the photocatalytic degradation speed. The porous structure of the cellulose hydrogels supplied not only cavities for the formation of Ag3PO4 nanoparticles, but also a shell to protect their nanostructure. The Ag3PO4/cellulose nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited good mechanical properties and thermal stability. This portable photocatalyst has good potential for application in the field of water pollution treatment. Ag3PO4 nanoparticles at each AgNO3 concentration were synthesized and dispersed uniformly in the regenerated cellulose hydrogels without aggregation and the average diameter of Ag3PO4 particle of SP05, SP10 and SP40 increased gradually from 3.1 +/- 2.7 to 11 +/- 4.5 nm with increase in AgNO3 concentration. Ag3PO4/cellulose nanocomposite hydrogels posses good degradation efficiency of photocatalytic degradation Rh B. Moreover, Ag3PO4 nanoparticle size is smaller and the degradation efficiency is higher. Ag3PO4/cellulose nanocomposite hydrogels have excellent mechanical property and moderate thermal stability. This material has potential application in field of visible light photocatalytic, water treatment and solar energy conversion.