Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of rGO/Sb4O5Cl2/Sb2S3 for a high photo-catalytic rate

Abstract

The present study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a ternary photo-catalyst: rGO–Sb₄O₅Cl₂–Sb₂S₃. A series of rGO–Sb₄O₅Cl₂–Sb₂S₃ samples were synthesized by the ultrasonic-assisted chemical co-precipitation method and the photo-catalytic capability was evaluated by the photo-degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The photo-catalysis rate of rGO–Sb₄O₅Cl₂–Sb₂S₃ was higher than those of Sb₂S₃, 10rGO–Sb₂S₃, Sb₄O₅Cl₂ and Sb₄O₅Cl₂–Sb₂S₃. The as-prepared material (30rGO–Sb₄O₅Cl₂–Sb₂S₃, 5 mg) had the highest photo-degradation effect on MO (50 mL, 20 mg L⁻¹), and 87.4% MO degraded within 16 min. The cycling test has proven that the produced rGO–Sb₄O₅Cl₂–Sb₂S₃ has anti-photoerosion ability. The morphology, structure and opto-electronic properties have been characterized as well. Thus, the mechanism has been discussed: the extraordinary photo-degradation effect on MO results from the synergetic effect of ultrathin rGO sheets and Sb₄O₅Cl₂ grains. Sb₄O₅Cl₂ was the photo-generated charge carrier migration medium and rGO would enhance the catalytic efficiency because of the ultra-large specific surface area and numerous surface active sites.