Composite of nano-goethite and natural organic luffa sponge as template: Synergy of high efficiency adsorption and visible-light photocatalysis

A composite of alpha-FeOOH and schizolytic luffa sponge (LAS) was prepared using a mechanical solid phase method. Its phase, morphology, specific surface, photoactivity and photoelectrochemical properties were characterized, showing that the nano-goethite is uniformly loaded on the LAS. When the doping amount of LAS is 4.0 wt%, its adsorption capacity and visible-light photocatalysis degradation capacity are 6.0 times and 2.5 times higher, respectively, than those of alpha-FeOOH. The synergy of its adsorption capacity and its visible-light photocatalytic ability makes it a highly promising, environmentally friendly visible-light photocatalytic material for effective removal of organic pollutants.