A simple way for Ag3PO4 tetrahedron and tetrapod microcrystals with high visible-light-responsive activity

Ag3PO4 microcrystals with different morphologies, including tetrahedrons with round edges and corners, short tetrapods, polyhedrons, and dendritic long tetrapods, were fabricated via simple and green routes. Among the as-obtained morphologies, tetrahedrons with round edges and corners, short tetrapods and dendritic long tetrapods are reported for the first time. All the Ag3PO4 products exhibited higher visible light photocatalytic activity. The tetrahedral Ag3PO4 with round edges showed the highest activity and fairly stability. Furthermore, the tetrahedral Ag3PO4 photocatalyst could maintain higher photocatalytic activity even though the ambient temperature was as low as 13 degrees C. Therefore, it is believed that this kind of photocatalyst is suitable for pollutant treatment in areas with high latitude or other areas in winter. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.