Enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability of AgBr/BiOBr/graphene heterojunction for phenol degradation under visible light

Publication date: Available online 10 November 2018Source: Journal of Saudi Chemical SocietyAuthor(s): Pardeep Singh, Sonu, Pankaj Raizada, Anita Suadhik, Poooja Shandilya, Pankaj Thakur, Shilpi Agarwal, Vinod Kumar GuptaAbstractIn this work, we have reported synthesis of AgBr/BiOBr photocatalyst supported on graphene (Gr) using facile precipitation method. AgBr/BiOBr/Gr was characterized using various spectral techniques like FESEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS, Raman and PL analysis. AgBr/BiOBr/Gr had improved visible light absorption. PL studies indicated the reduction in recombination of photogenerated electron hole pair of AGBr/BiOBr/Gr. AFM analysis confirmed the thickness of AGBr/BiOBr/Gr was less than 8.0 nm. The higher dispersiblity of photocatalyst was ascertained by Tyndall effect. AgBr/BiOBr/Gr photocatalyst was effectively used for the photodegradation of phenol from simulated water. The phenol degradation process was remarkably influenced by adsorption process. The concurrent adsorption and photocatalytic was effective for degradation of phenol. The phenol was completely mineralized into CO2 and H2O in 6 h. The degradation process followed pseudo first order kinetics. The results confirmed that integration of AgBr/BiOBr with graphene caused an increase in photocatalytic activity due to reduced recombination of photogenerated electron hole pair and electron sink behavior of graphene for photogenerated electrons of BiOBr. AgBr/BiOBr/Gr photocatalyst displayed significant s...
Source: Journal of Saudi Chemical Society - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research