Plasmon-enhanced instantaneous photocatalytic activity of Au@Ag3PO4 heterostructure targeted at emergency treatment of environmental pollution

The metallic Au-incorporated Au@Ag3PO4 heterostructure described in this study exhibited a highly productive photocatalytic activity in the generation process from hydroxyapatite to Ag3PO4 caused by the rapid release of hydroxyl groups which were converted into hydroxyl radicals by the combined effect of the LSPR by metallic Au nanoparticles and photoexcitation of Ag3PO4 crystals. A conceptually different approach was first demonstrated which we called “instantaneous catalysis” (IC) to degrade rhodamine B, amido black 10b, and bromophenol blue dyes with an extra high degradation rate in about 5 s. It was estimated that the creative photocatalytic activity was due to the effective utilization of the hydroxyl radicals during the synthesis of Au@Ag3PO4 heterostructure. The IC process is suitable for the emergency treatment of unexpected serious environmental pollution.