Efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride by Ag3PO4 under visible-light irradiation

A facile, environmental-friendly Ag 3 PO 4 -PN photocatalyst was synthesized by a simple precipitation method at room temperature in the presence of ammonia and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). As-synthesized samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). The enhancement of photocatalytic efficiency of Ag 3 PO 4 -PN is strongly dependent on the excellent photo-absorption capacity, sharp edges and corners, and synergistic effect of PVP and NH 3 ·H 2 O. The effects of catalyst dosage, TC concentration and solution pH were explored with tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) as target contamination. The mineralization was evaluated by total organic carbon (TOC) analysis and determination of the concentration of inorganic ions such as NO 3 − and Cl − . Radical detection experiment indicated the h + and ·O 2− are major active species in the degradation of TC by Ag 3 PO 4 -PN. Moreover, photocatalyst stability and regeneration experiments exhibited the favorable stability and rejuvenation ability, suggesting a promising prospect of practical application of Ag 3 PO 4 in the wastewater treatment.