Fabrication of novel Fe2O3/MoO3/AgBr nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation for organic pollutant degradation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.apt.2019.11.005
• Publication Date: 2019-11-18T14:52:49Z
• Authors: Hadi Salari; Mona Kohantorabi
• Keywords: Visible spectrum; Degradation

Abstract In the present work, the novel ternary Fe2O3/MoO3/AgBr photocatalyst with different dosages of AgBr was successfully synthesized via a facile method. The physicochemical properties of the resultant catalyst were characterized by using various techniques such as XRD, SEM, EDX, BET, XPS, DRS, and VSM. The photocatalytic performance of as-prepared samples was evaluated by degradation of organic dye acid blue 92 (AB92) under visible light irradiation, and in dark. The impact of different operating parameters namely calcination temperature, amount of photocatalyst, dye concentration, and pH of solution were investigated in degradation reaction. Ternary nanocomposite exhibited the best photocatalytic activity due to synergistic effect between nanostructures, high visible light adsorption, and effective separation of charge carriers. The photocatalytic activity of this nanocomposite is about 7.1, and 5.1-fold higher than those of the Fe2O3, and Fe2O3/MoO3, respectively. The results displayed that the superoxide radical ( O 2 · - ), and photo-generated hole ( h + ) play the major role in the dye decomposition under visible light. The photocatalyst was easily separated from the reaction media by an external magnet, and used in five consecutive cycles without losing the activity, and stability.