Ag3PO4/chitosan/CdS nanocomposites exhibiting high photocatalytic activities under visible-light illumination

Ag3PO4/chitosan/CdS (Ag3PO4/CS/CdS) nanocomposites were achieved by in situ growth approach, and extensively characterized by FESEM, HRTEM, EDAX, FT-IR, XPS, XRD, BET, and UV-vis/DRS. The characterization results suggested that Ag3PO4 rhombic dodecahedron with size of 300−900 nm was wrapped in chitosan layer containing CdS in Ag3PO4/CS/CdS. The photocatalytic performance of Ag3PO4/CS/CdS nanocomposites was assessed by investigating the decolorization behavior of methyl orange under visible-light illumination. Introduction of proper amounts of CdS in nanocomposites distinctly extended the visible-light response range, and Ag3PO4/CS/CdS nanocomposites with molar ratio of 1:1:0.1 showed the optimal photocatalytic efficiency. The photocatalytic decolorization rate of the model pollutant methyl orange was also affected by the photocatalyst dosage, initial dye concentrations, pH value, and coexisted anions. Meanwhile, a slight loss of photocatalytic activity after three reaction cycles indicated that Ag3PO4/CS/CdS nanocomposites had excellent reusability and stability