Comparative studies on Ag3PO4/BiPO4-metal-organic framework-graphene-based nanocomposites for photocatalysis application

For the first time, we report novel Ag3PO4/BiPO4(AB)graphene-based photocatalysts. The fabricated nanocomposites were characterized by various techniques. The photocatalytic properties of the prepared catalysts were evaluated by the photodegradation of Atrazine herbicide under both visible and UV light irradiation. Atrazine concentration was determined using the spectrophotometric method according to the Konigs reaction by monitoring the absorbance at 470 nm wavelength during the photodegradation process. Both degradation rate and efficiency using graphene (GR)-based nanocomposites are found to be much better than using pure AB. Atrazine photodegradation displayed that the AB supporting is an important point to become a great photocatalyst for this reaction. Enhanced photodegradation has been obtained by the AB/Cu(tpa).GR nanocomposite. The results showed that the novel synthesized AB/Cu(tpa).GR nanocomposite exhibits a dramatic separation of photogenerated electron/hole pairs. This was accounted for by the improved efficiency of an interfacial charge separation, thanks to the unique heterojunction formed by coupling Cu(tpa) with GR. Chemical oxygen demand of herbicide solution was measured and it posed a good idea about Atrazine herbicide degradation (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.