Fabrication of Ag3PO4/Ag/MoO3-x Z-scheme system with excellent photocatalytic degradation performance under visible light irradiation

Z-scheme Ag3PO4/Ag/MoO3-x photocatalyst was prepared by deposition of Ag and Ag3PO4 nanoparticles on the surface of MoO3-x nanosheets. With Ag mediation between Ag3PO4 and MoO3-x, there is efficient separation and utilization of photogenerated charge carriers. Owing to the rich presence of oxygen vacancies on the surface of MoO3-x, oxygen adsorption on the surface is enhanced. The as-prepared Ag3PO4/Ag/MoO3-x Z-scheme system shows outstanding photocatalytic activity and stability for the degradation of dyes (rhodamine B, methylene blue, as well as their mixture) and ciprofloxacin under visible light irradiation, displaying degradation rate that is 15.9, 3.4, 14.9 and 3.0 times that of MoO3-x, Ag3PO4, Ag/MoO3-x and Ag3PO4/MoO3-x, respectively. According to the results of trapping experiments, ·OH and ·O2− are the main active species, and a possible reaction mechanism has been proposed.