Ag@AgCl Photocatalyst Loaded on the 3D Graphene/PANI Hydrogel for the Enhanced Adsorption-Photocatalytic Degradation and In Situ SERS Monitoring Properties

Here, 3D GH/PANI/Ag@AgCl composites were successfully synthesized by binding Ag+ ions with the Cl- ions of HCl-doped PANI in 3D GH/PANI and the subsequent photo-assisted reduction. Compared with 3D GH/PANI, Ag@AgCl and GO/PANI/Ag@AgCl catalysts, the synergistic effects of porous GH network structure, conductive 1D PANI, and the localized surface plasmon resonance of Ag@AgCl, enabled 3D GH/PANI/Ag@AgCl superior adsorption-photocatalytic degradation performance of RhB under visible-light irradiation. PL spectra and a serious of photoelectrochemical measurements were employed to investigate the reasons for such enhanced photocatalytic activity. Combined with the active species trapping experiments, the possible improved photocatalytic degradation mechanism was proposed. With the prepared 3D GH/PANI/Ag@AgCl photocatalyst itself as the substrate, real-time SERS detection of the presence of RhB and its degradation process can also be achieved. Besides these important results, easy separation and good regeneration property of 3D GH/PANI/Ag@AgCl further make it a promising application in water purification.

Automated summary

The 3D GH/PANI/Ag@AgCl composites were successfully synthesized, showing superior adsorption-photocatalytic degradation performance due to the synergistic effects of porous GH network structure, conductive PANI, and the localized surface plasmon resonance of Ag@AgCl. By employing PL spectra and photoelectrochemical measurements, the reasons for enhanced photocatalytic activity were investigated, along with a proposed improved degradation mechanism. The catalyst also allows for real-time SERS detection and promising application in water purification due to its easy separation and good regeneration property.