Mechanistic insights into Ag₃PO₄@Ag₂S nanoparticles: Photocatalytic water splitting and antibacterial activities

This study presents the synthesis and optimization of Ag₃PO₄@Ag₂S core–shell nanoparticles through anion exchange for enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial applications. By strategically controlling the S²⁻:PO₄³⁻ ratio via anion exchange, we achieved significant improvements in both photocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) efficiency and antibacterial activity. The composite demonstrated a unique synergistic effect, attributed to a Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism within the core–shell structure, which led to efficient charge separation, enhanced ROS generation, and superior photocatalytic performance. The 5% S²⁻:PO₄³⁻ composite exhibited the highest OER rate of 589.61 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and effective disinfection against Salmonella typhi, providing promising prospects for water treatment and microbial disinfection. This work highlights the critical role of precise anion exchange in optimizing photocatalytic materials, offering valuable insights for designing advanced multifunctional catalysts with potential applications in environmental remediation.