Synthesis and characterization of Ag/Bi2WO6/GO composite for the fast degradation of tylosin under visible light.

Ag/Bi2WO6/graphene oxide composite with excellent photocatalytic properties was successfully prepared by hydrothermal-photoreduction synergistic method and is applied in antibiotics degradation. The structure and properties of as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized by Fourier infrared spectrum (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), specific surface area analyzer (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscope (AFM). The results indicated that Ag and Bi2WO6 were uniformly loaded on the surface of graphene oxide. In addition, graphene oxide with conjugated carbon network structures has been applied as a photocatalyst supporter for the high electronic conductivity and the large reactive sites. Compared with the pure graphene oxide, the as-prepared Ag/Bi2WO6/graphene oxide catalyst exhibited excellent degradation efficiency and stability for degrading tylosin under Xe lamp irradiation. Under simulated sunlight irradiation, the photodegradation efficiency of tylosin by Ag/Bi2WO6/graphene oxide achieved at 98% within 2 h, compared to 50% by pure graphene oxide. The excellent photodegradation ability is caused by the synergetic effect of Ag, Bi2WO6, and graphene oxide nanoparticles.