Enhanced Photocatalysis with Pt@PMMA/Ag ₃ PO ₄ Nanocomposite: An Effective Strategy for Rapid Pesticide and Dye Degradation under Visible Light

Freshwater pollution is a critical global issue, requiring efficient, eco‐friendly treatment technologies. In this study, a new ternary nanocomposite photocatalyst was fabricated by combining silver phosphate (Ag 3 PO 4 ) with platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a flexible long‐chain polymer. The nanocomposite was prepared using coprecipitation, ultrasonic blending, and light‐induced reduction. Structural and chemical analyses confirmed successful integration of all components. (XRD) X‐ray Diffraction verified the body‐centered‐cubic phase of Ag 3 PO 4 , while X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy evidenced the presence and interaction of Ag 3 PO 4 , Pt, and PMMA. (TEM) Transmission Electron Microscopy revealed PtNPs (5–15 nm) uniformly anchored to the PMMA‐coated Ag 3 PO 4 surface, displaying varied morphological features. Optical characterization via UV–vis spectroscopy showed a clear reduction in bandgap, enhancing visible light absorption. The Pt@PMMA/Ag 3 PO 4 photocatalyst demonstrated outstanding contaminant removal under visible light, achieving 94.20% breakdown of imidacloprid (IM) insecticide in 60 min and near‐total removal of acridine orange (ACO) dye in just 15 min. This enhanced performance is attributed to increased light utilization from Pt, larger reactive surface area, and efficient charge separation and transport facilitated by the polymer network, as evidenced by photocurrent response and reduced photoluminescence. The currently developed Pt@PMMA/Ag 3 PO 4 nanocomposite shows strong potential as a high‐performance, sustainable photocatalyst for light‐driven water purification.