Visible-light-responsive Ag3PO4-based photocatalysts for water treatment and wastewater remediation: Advances, challenges, and future directions


Tugelbay S. Bakbolat B.
December 2025Elsevier Ltd

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
2025#13Issue 6

Silver orthophosphate (Ag3PO4) has emerged as one of the most promising visible light photocatalysts owing to its narrow band gap (∼ 2.41 eV), strong oxidative valence band (+ 2.9 eV vs. NHE), and ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition to its high photocatalytic efficiency, Ag3PO4 also displays intrinsic antibacterial and antifungal activities, positioning it as a multifunctional material for environmental remediation. However, photocorrosion, structural instability, and Ag+ leaching still limit its long-term performance. This review discusses recent progress in Ag3PO4-based photocatalysts for water treatment and wastewater remediation. It highlights fundamental aspects of crystal and electronic structures, charge dynamics, and reaction mechanisms, followed by strategies to enhance activity and stability. Binary systems (TiO2, g-C3N4 etc.), ternary heterojunctions, carbon-based composites (rGO, CNT, biochar, MXene), and polymeric hybrids are critically compared in terms of charge separation, interface design, and photocorrosion suppression. Environmental parameters such as pH, ionic strength, pollutant concentration, and catalyst dosage are also evaluated for their effects on photocatalytic performance. A distinctive feature of this review is the systematic and quantitative assessment of Ag3PO4 activity toward a broad range of pollutants-including dyes, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and emerging contaminants such as microplastics-while explicitly addressing the complexity of real wastewater. Furthermore, we summarize recent advances in regeneration and stabilization strategies, including Z- and S-scheme systems, core-shell architectures, and plasmonic self-healing effects. Finally, we present future perspectives on the scale-up, immobilization, and sustainable application of Ag3PO4-based photocatalysts, emphasizing their potential for real-world water purification in developing regions.

Interfacial engineering , Photocatalytic activity , Photocorrosion , Reactive oxygen species , Silver orthophosphate , Water treatment

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Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Ave., 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Qabanbay Batyr Ave., 53, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry
National Laboratory Astana

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

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