3D graphene aerogels/Sb2WO6 hybrid with enhanced photocatalytic activity under UV- and visible-light irradiation

A novel ultraviolet (UV)- and visible-light-active 3D graphene aerogels (3DGA)/Sb 2 WO 6 hybrid photocatalyst was prepared by electrostatic self-assembly (ESSA) method. The photocatalytic activity of the 3DGA/Sb 2 WO 6 hybrid was studied by monitoring the change in the concentration of methyl orange (MO) under UV-light and visible-light irradiation. The results demonstrated that the as-prepared hybrid exhibited significantly enhanced efficiency for the photodegradation of MO in comparison with pure Sb 2 WO 6 . This was ascribed to the efficient separation of the photogenerated electrons (e–) and holes (h + ) with the aid of 3DGA as well as the generated reactive superoxide radical anions (O 2 •–). Moreover, the 3DGA/Sb 2 WO 6 hybrid exhibited high recyclability, because the highly hydrophobic 3DGA in the hybrid was very advantageous to the separation of the hybrid photocatalyst from the MO solutions.