One-pot synthesis of Mn3O4-coupled Ag2WO4 nanocomposite photocatalyst for enhanced photooxidative desulfurization of thiophene under visible light irradiation

The photooxidative desulfurization of thiophene (ThP) becomes a challenge in both industry and environmental remediation. Herein, we synthesize a visible-light-responsive Ag2WO4/Mn3O4 nanocomposite by a one-pot strategy. Depiction of the produced photocatalysts exposed the suppression of the surface structure and reduction of the bandgap energy by adding 15 wt% of Mn3O4 to Ag2WO4. The obtained nanocomposite shows a complete photooxidation of ThP within 1 h under visible light illumination at a dose of 1.2 g L-1. The significance of photocatalytic performance of Ag2WO4/Mn3O4 nanocomposite photocatalyst is referred to the enhancement of the visible light absorption and overthrow of the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. The study opens the door for extensive use of nanocomposite photocatalysts as a novel functional material for the photooxidation of ThPs under visible light exposure.