LAUSR

Abstract The hollow tubular structure of kapok fiber was successfully replicated by using kapok fiber as a template through a high-temperature calcination method. The kapok fiber was treated as a photocatalytic carrier material, the photocatalytic performance of the samples that tubular TiO2 composited with Ag3PO4 prepared by the new method was discussed. It was found that Ag3PO4 particles with small particle size can be prepared through a simple stirring method at room temperature. Ag3PO4/TiO2 composite material can be obtained by an in-suit synthesis. The experimental results show that the Rhodamine B can be photodegraded completely by Ag3PO4/TiO2 composite within 60 min, the photodegradation of Ag3PO4/TiO2 is significantly better than the photocatalytic effect of pristine TiO2. After three cycles, the degradation rate can still achieve 100% within 60 min. The photogenerated carriers separation efficiency of Ag3PO4/TiO2 was improved by composite with Ag3PO4. Through the visible diffuse spectra (DRS), it is obvious that the Ag3PO4/TiO2 has strong absorption in the visible spectrum, and the photocatalytic performance of the sample is improved.