The enhanced photo-stability of defective Ag₃PO₄ tetrahedron prepared using tripolyphosphate

Ag₃PO₄ is an excellent photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. However, the low stability due to photo-corrosion is still an obstacle in its application. It is a big challenge to improve stability using synthesis modification. Here, the photocatalyst stability enhancement was successfully prepared by tripolyphosphate. Photocatalyst was prepared by reacting AgNO₃ solution with STPP (sodium tripolyphosphate) solution to form a white suspension. The addition of phosphate solution to the white suspension produces yellow Ag₃PO₄ with a new type of defective photocatalyst. The XPS measurement showed that the increase of STPP concentration significantly decreased the Ag/P atomic ratio, indicating the silver vacancy formation on the surface of Ag₃PO₄. The photocatalytic reaction formed a metallic Ag with a lower d-space in the cube structure occurred in the silver vacancy of Ag₃PO₄. This defect increases the interaction of metallic silver and Ag₃PO₄. The enhanced photo-stability might be induced by metallic silver that can act as a photogenerated electron acceptor.