biostudies-literatureZhou LScience and Technology Commission of Shanghai MunicipalityState Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse35636-35645https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9074729biostudies-literatureUnknown9(61)To overcome the practical application limitations of Ag₃PO₄ such as photocorrosion and relatively low efficiency of photogenerated carrier seperation, Ag₃PO₄ particles were loaded onto hydrochar. The particles in the composite had a smaller crystallite size and different phase structure with more edges than pure Ag₃PO₄ particles. The as-prepared composite catalyst exhibited a different photocatalytic performance for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation when varying the mass ratio of hydrochar and Ag₃PO₄. In addition to higher SMX degradation efficiency, the composite exhibited much higher TOC degradation efficiency, recycling stability, and less-toxic intermediate production. The composites enhanced visibRSC advancesKey role of hydrochar in heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole using Ag₃PO₄-based photocatalysts.PMC907472919295801000PCRRF18001Zhou LCui NZou GYCai MZhang XChen GfalseKey role of hydrochar in heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole using Ag₃PO₄-based photocatalysts.To overcome the practical application limitations of Ag₃PO₄ such as photocorrosion and relatively low efficiency of photogenerated carrier seperation, Ag₃PO₄ particles were loaded onto hydrochar. The particles in the composite had a smaller crystallite size and different phase structure with more edges than pure Ag₃PO₄ particles. The as-prepared composite catalyst exhibited a different photocatalytic performance for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation when varying the mass ratio of hydrochar and Ag₃PO₄. In addition to higher SMX degradation efficiency, the composite exhibited much higher TOC degradation efficiency, recycling stability, and less-toxic intermediate production. The composites enhanced visib2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Oct2025-04-04T23:15:35.879Z2025-04-04T23:15:35.879ZS-EPMC90747293552807310.1039/c9ra07843f