Ag3PO4@holmium phosphate core@shell composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this study, Ag3PO4@holmium phosphate (HP) composite photocatalysts were first prepared by silver-ammonia-solution-assisted solution co-deposition. During co-deposition, Ag3PO4 particles were encapsulated by a flocculent amorphous substance layer of HP, affording a Ag3PO4@HP core–shell heterojunction structure with a Ho/Ag molar ratio of 0.05/2.95. The core–shell structure significantly improved the photocatalytic activity of Ag3PO4. In addition, the photocatalytic mechanism of Ag3PO4@HP was discussed.