LAUSR

Abstract An interesting rugby-ball-like Zn3(PO4)2@C3N4 photocatalyst with well- controlled structures as high-efficient visible-light photocatalysts was synthesized via two steps of solvothermal-grinding calcination method. The composition, structure, morphology, and optical absorption properties of as-synthesized Zn3(PO4)2@C3N4 samples were intensively characterized by XRD, N2 physical adsorption, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, UV–vis DRS, XPS, PL and photoelectrochemical measurements, respectively. The formation of C3N4 shell obviously increased the surface area and induced the rich pore structures. The intimate interface between Zn3(PO4)2 and C3N4 phase obviously enhanced the transport rate of photogenerated carriers and restrained the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. The optimal Zn3(PO4)2@C3N4 (35 wt%) exhibited the highest adsorption and photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue (MB), which was 150 and 7.5 times as high as C3N4, respectively. Moreover, the robust Zn3(PO4)2@C3N4 nanoheterojunctions fabricated by this grinding-calcination route have high stability in recycling reactions.