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

The cauliflower-like AgBr/Ag 3 PO 4 /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/Ag 3 PO 4 /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 Ag 3 PO 4 nanoparticles are highly dispersed on the surface of sulfonated polystyrene. And the heterogeneous junction structures are also formed between AgBr and Ag 3 PO 4 , which is benefit for the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. Hence, the AgBr/Ag 3 PO 4 /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/Ag 3 PO 4 /SPS photocatalyst also had a good stability.