In this work, Ag3PO4/In2S3 nanocomposites with low loading of In2S3 (5-15 wt %) are fabricated by two step chemical precipitation approach. The microstructure, composition and improved photoelectrochemical properties of the asprepared composites are studied by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photocurrent density, EIS and amperometric i-t curve analysis. It is found that most of In2S3 nanoparticles are deposited on the surfaces of Ag3PO4. The as-prepared Ag3PO4/ In2S3 composite (10 wt%) is selected and investigated by SEM and TEM, which exhibits special morphology consisting of lager size substrate (Ag3PO4), particles and some nanosheets (In2S3). The introduction of In2S3 is effective at improving the charge separation and transfer efficiency of Ag3PO4/In2S3, resulting in an enhancement of photoelectric behavior. The origin of the enhanced photoelectrochemical activity of the In2S3-modified Ag3PO4 may be due to the improved charge separation, photocurrent stability and oriented electrons transport pathways in environment and energy applications.

In this paper, AgCl/Ag3PO4/diatomite photocatalyst is successfully synthesized by microemulsion method and anion in situ substitution method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) are used to study the structural and physicochemical characteristics of the AgCl/Ag3PO4/diatomite composite. Using rhodamine B (RhB) as a simulated pollutant, the photocatalytic activity and stability of the AgCl/Ag3PO4/diatomite composite under visible light are evaluated. In the AgCl/Ag3PO4/diatomite visible light system, RhB is nearly 100 % degraded within 15 minutes. And, after five cycles of operation, the photocatalytic activity of AgCl/Ag3PO4/diatomite remains at 95 % of the original level, much higher than that of pure Ag3PO4 (40 %). In addition, the mechanism of enhanced catalytic performance is discussed. The high photocatalytic performance of AgCl/Ag3PO4/diatomite composites can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag3PO4, diatomite and AgCl nanoparticles. Free radical trapping experiments are used to show that holes and oxygen are the main active species. This material can quickly react with dye molecules adsorbed on the surface of diatomite to degrade RhB dye to CO2 and H2O. Even more remarkably, AgCl/Ag3PO4/diatomite can maintain above 95 % photo-degradation activity after five cycles.