In situ self-assembled synthesis of Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41 with excellent activities of adsorption-photocatalysis

•The Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41 with activities of adsorption-photocatalysis was prepared.•The Ag-AgBr was installed on the Al-MCM-41 increased removal rate of organic pollutants.•Removal mechanism of organic pollutants over Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41 was revealed.•The enhanced activities of Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41 were proposed.

A novel material of Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41 with dual functions of adsorption-photocatalysis was synthesized by installing Ag-AgBr on the Al-MCM-41 from natural palygorskite using in situ self-assembled method. The activities of adsorption-photocatalysis of 50% Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41 were significantly higher than those of Ag-AgBr, 50% Ag-AgBr/Pal and 50% Ag-AgBr/MCM-41. After adsorption for 30 min and light irradiation for 210 min, the removal rate of 100 mL of 50 mg L−1 basic fuchsin (crystal violet, aniline) over 50% Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41 (50 mg) was about 98% (99%, 90%). The Al-MCM-41 from natural palygorskite not only provided large specific surface area, but also uniformly anchored Ag-AgBr due to the in situ self-assembled approach. This greatly enhanced performances of adsorption-photocatalysis of 50% Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41. In addition, SPR effect of Ag broadened light absorption range of 50% Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41 and favored separation of carriers, which drastically improved its photocatalytic activity.

Graphical abstractDownload high-res image (87KB)Download full-size imageThe Ag-AgBr was installed on the Al-MCM-41 from natural palygorskite using in situ self-assembled method. (a) natural Pal, (b) acidified Pal, (c) reactants for synthesis, (d) AgBr/Al-MCM-41 and (e) Ag-AgBr/Al-MCM-41.