BiVO(4)/CeO(2) nanocomposites with high visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2012 Jul 25;4(7):3718-23. doi: 10.1021/am300812n. Epub 2012 Jul 12.

Abstract

Preparation of bismuth vanadate and cerium dioxide (BiVO4/CeO2) nanocomposites as visible-light photocatalysts was successfully obtained by coupling a homogeneous precipitation method with hydrothermal techniques. The BiVO4/CeO2 nanocomposites with different mole ratios were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Absorption range and band gap energy, which are responsible for the observed photocatalyst behavior, were investigated by UV-vis diffuse reflectance (UV-vis DR) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activities of the prepared samples were examined by studying the degradation of model dyes Methylene Blue, Methyl Orange, and a mixture of Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange solutions under visible-light irradiation (>400 nm). Results clearly show that the BiVO4/CeO2 nanocomposite in a 0.6:0.4 mol ratio exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity in dye wastewater treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azo Compounds / chemistry
  • Bismuth / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Cerium / chemistry*
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / instrumentation
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods
  • Humans
  • Light*
  • Methylene Blue / chemistry
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Photolysis*
  • Vanadates / chemistry*
  • Wastewater / chemistry

Substances

  • Azo Compounds
  • Coloring Agents
  • Waste Water
  • bismuth vanadium tetraoxide
  • Cerium
  • Vanadates
  • ceric oxide
  • methyl orange
  • Methylene Blue
  • Bismuth