Removal of bisphenol A over a separation free 3D Ag3PO4-graphene hydrogel via an adsorption-photocatalysis synergy

Here we reported a silver phosphate/graphene hydrogel (Ag3PO4/rGH) with efficient degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) with the synergy of adsorption and photocatalysis. The Ag3PO4/rGH 3D structure exhibits enriched adsorption-photocatalytic degradation ability for the removal of BPA under visible light irradiation, and its three-dimensional structure facilitates the rapid recycle and reuse ability of the photocatalyst. The maximum adsorption capacity was 15 mg/g which is 2.1 times and 2.4 times than that of Ag3PO4/AC, Ag3PO4/Al2O3. The BPA could be even 100% removed in 12 min by the synergy of adsorption and photocatalysis under visible light irradiation. The removal ability was more than 90% after recycling 5 time indicating superiority of separation freely without complicated filter system for 3D structured hydrogel. The Ag3PO4/rGH 3D structure also showed high removal activity and stability in the continuous flow reaction system, and the 100% removal of BPA have been maintained more than 60 h. In all, Ag3PO4/rGH 3D structure possesses superiority of separation freely without complicated filter system. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.