Sb2X3 (X = S, Se) nanowires/graphene aerogel monoliths for effective photodegradation of dye/drug under visible light irradiation

The visible-light-responsive photocatalysts with high efficiency have been attracting tremendous focus in environmental remediation. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) Sb 2 X 3 ( X  = S , Se) nanowires/graphene aerogel (Sb 2 X 3 /GA) monoliths were prepared by a facile hydrothermal route. The as-prepared Sb 2 X 3 /GA monoliths show the shape of a cylinder with a hierarchical porous structure. FESEM and porosimetry analyses revealed that the monoliths have high porosity, large total pore area as well as large pore volume . Sb 2 X 3 /GA demonstrated excellent photodegradation performance for the representative anionic/cationic dyes (methyl orange, rhodamine B , and crystal violet) and antibiotic drug (tetracycline hydrochloride) under 120 min of visible light irradiation. The degradation efficiencies of Sb 2 X 3 /GA were found to be 92.6–99.8% for the above-mentioned dye/drug, which were much larger than that of the pristine Sb 2 X 3 nanowires . The enhanced photodegradation activity could be ascribed to the synergistic effect between the Sb 2 X 3 nanowires and graphene aerogel, which was confirmed by the results of the photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance spectra. These findings provide an innovative strategy for designing 3D visible-light-responsive photocatalysts for water purification .