Porous Ag3PO4 nanotubes (PNTs) were synthesized via a surface anion exchange reaction from the pre-grown Ag2CO3 nanorods (NRs) templates in the aqueous solution. The rationally release rate of H+ and PO43- from Na2HPO4 are proved to be the key factors for the formation of Ag3PO4 PNTs. SEM analysis indicated that Ag3PO4 PNTs have a nearly homogeneous size with about 350 nm diameter, 2.1 mu m length and 74nm wall thickness. Nanoholes with diameters in range of 40-200 nm were existed on the side wall of the tubular structure. Compared with irregular Ag3PO4,Ag3PO4 PNTs exhibit an apparently enhancement of visible-light absorption and a significant decrease of PL intensities, indicating a better light absorption and a lower charge recombination rate. The photocatalytic performance studies for the degradation of RhB indicate that Ag3PO4 PNTs not only exhibit the highest adsorption ability towards dye molecules, but also possess superior photocatalytic activity than that of Ag2CO3 NRs and irregular Ag3PO4. The origin of the higher photocatalytic activity is primarily ascribed to the peculiar porous tubular nanostructure. h(+) and center dot O2- are investigated to be the major reactive species for the Ag3PO4 PNTs photocatalytic system. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.