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

• The novel NiFe2O4/Ag3PO4 composites were prepared by a simple ion-exchange deposition method.
• NiFe2O4/Ag3PO4 composites could act as both adsorbents and photocatalysts for the removal of methylene blue (MB).
• The enhanced photocatalytic activity attributed to the efficient separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs.

Novel NiFe2O4/Ag3PO4 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 NiFe2O4/Ag3PO4 composites could act as both adsorbents and photocatalysts for the removal of methylene blue (MB). The as-prepared 5%-NiFe2O4/Ag3PO4 composite exhibited much higher adsorptive and photocatalytic activity than the pure Ag3PO4. Through the combined action of adsorption and photodegradation, MB could be removed more efficiently. The photocatalytic mechanism of NiFe2O4/Ag3PO4 composites is also proposed.

Novel composite NiFe2O4/Ag3PO4 acted as both adsorbent and photocatalyst for removal of dye MB.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide