Novel p−n heterojunction of Ag/HAp/g-C3N4 photocatalyst: study the efficient photocatalystic performance for phenol degradation

3D heterojunction nano-structure of p-Ag/HAp/n-g-C3N4 photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by hydrothermally addition of n-type g-C3N4 on p-type HAp and in following addition of Ag+ under visible light illumination procedure, which showed highest photocatalytic activity comparing with Ag/HAp and g-C3N4 components for visible-light degradation of phenol. The heterojunctions with facilitating the charge transfer along with increasing the lifetime of charge carriers, enhance the photocatalytic efficiency [1]. Phenol and its derivatives are known as hazardous environmental pollutants that are found in many industrial wastewater [2]. The structure and morphology of the synthesized p-Ag/HAp/n-g- C3N4 as a novel nano-heterojunction compound were studied by X−ray diffraction (XRD), fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis of energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic mechanism influenced by O2 • and OH• species that schematically has been shown in below. The obtained experimental results indicate the high photocatalytic performance of this new p-Ag/HAp/n-g-C3N4 nanocomposite for the removal of phenol contamination.