Typically, the photocatalytic experiments were performed at room temperature as follows: 0.05 g of photocatalyst was added into 50 mL of MB solution (3 ppm). The solution was stirred in dark condition for 30 min to achieve the adsorption–desorption equilibrium. After that, the solution was irradiated under visible light for 30 min by fluorescent lamp and the sample was collected every 10 min. The collected sample was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 15 min to remove the photocatalyst from dye solution. Finally, the concentration of dye solution was measured by UV–vis spectrophotometer (UV-6100, Mapada) at the wavelength of 664 nm to determine the removal efficiency. Additionally, isopropyl alcohol, benzoquinone and ammonium oxalate was used as scavenger for the hydroxyl radical, super oxide, and hole respectively to determine main species during the photocatalytic process of MB.
Besides, the photocatalytic degradation of phenol was also conducted in this work. In which, 50 mL of 20 ppm phenol solution and a small amount of H2O2 (35%) was stirred with 1 g/L of photocatalyst and for 30 min under dark condition. Afterwards, the mixed solution was irradiated under visible light for 360 min. The sample was collected at every 120 min followed by centrifugation, and then measured at 270 nm spectrophotometer (UV-6100, Mapada) to determine the removal efficiency.
Besides, the photocatalytic degradation of phenol was also conducted in this work. In which, 50 mL of 20 ppm phenol solution and a small amount of H2O2 (35%) was stirred with 1 g/L of photocatalyst and for 30 min under dark condition. Afterwards, the mixed solution was irradiated under visible light for 360 min. The sample was collected at every 120 min followed by centrifugation, and then measured at 270 nm spectrophotometer (UV-6100, Mapada) to determine the removal efficiency.