Efficient removal of dye MB: Through the combined action of adsorption and photodegradation from NiFe2O4/Ag3PO4

Novel NiFe 2 O 4 /Ag 3 PO 4 composites were prepared by a simple ion-exchange deposition method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). It is worth to note that these NiFe 2 O 4 /Ag 3 PO 4 composites could act as both adsorbents and photocatalysts for the removal of methylene blue (MB). The as-prepared 5%-NiFe 2 O 4 /Ag 3 PO 4 composite exhibited much higher adsorptive and photocatalytic activity than the pure Ag 3 PO 4 . Through the combined action of adsorption and photodegradation, MB could be removed more efficiently. The photocatalytic mechanism of NiFe 2 O 4 /Ag 3 PO 4 composites is also proposed.