A novel BiVO4-GO-TiO2-PANI composite for upgraded photocatalytic performance under visible light and its non-toxicity

摘要

A novel non-toxic hybrid BiVO4-GO-TiO2-polyaniline (PANI) (BVGT-PANI) composite with superior photocatalysis was successfully prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal reaction. The structural and morphological characterizations of the synthesized compounds were analyzed by a series of techniques. We found excellent photocatalytic efficiencies for methylene blue (MB) and phenol degradation under visible light irradiation after adhering the PANI to the photocatalyst. The degradation rates of MB and phenol reach up to approximately 85% and 80%, respectively, after 3h of irradiation. For photodegradation MB, BVGTA exhibit the highest k(app) rate constant of about 1.06x10(-2)min(-1), which is about 1.63-fold faster than BVG and 2.94-fold faster than BVGT. For photodegradation of phenol, BVGTA exhibits the highest k(app) rate constant, of about 8.86x10(-3)min(-1), which is about 1.2-fold faster than BVG and 1.96-fold faster than BVGT. Furthermore, vitro toxicity test against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated that the nanophotocatalyst is non-toxic.