In Situ Ion Exchange Synthesis of Cauliflower-like AgBr/Ag3PO4/Sulfonated Polystyrene Sphere Heterojunction Photocatalyst With Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

The cauliflower-like AgBr/Ag3PO4/sulfonated polystyrene sphere (SPS) heterojunction photocatalyst was prepared using wastewater containing silver ion and SPS as raw materials via in situ ion change method. The AgBr/Ag3PO4/SPS photocatalyst was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis DRS). The results showed that AgBr nanoparticles and Ag3PO4 nanoparticles are highly dispersed on the surface of sulfonated polystyrene. And the heterogeneous junction structures are also formed between AgBr and Ag3PO4, which is benefit for the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. Hence, the AgBr/Ag3PO4/SPS photocatalyst had an excellent activity for photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in water under visible light irradiation. The cyclic test results showed that the AgBr/Ag3PO4/SPS photocatalyst also had a good stability.