Hydrothermal synthesis and visible-light photocatalytic activity of porous peanut-like BiVO_4 and BiVO_4/Fe_3O_4 submicron structures

摘要

Porous peanut-like BiVO_4 and BiVO_4/Fe_3O_4 submicron structures were synthesized by a template-free hydrothermal process at 160 °C for 24 h. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of BiVO_4 and BiVO_4/Fe_3O_4 submicron structures were evaluated for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation with and without the assistance of H_2O_2. According to the experimental results obtained, porous peanut-like BiVO_4/Fe_3O_4 composite photocatalyst shows higher photocatalytic activity in the H_2O_2-assisted system under visible light irradiation compared to BiVO_4. Recycling test on the BiVO_4/Fe_3O_4 composite photocatalyst for the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation indicates that the composite photocatalyst is stable in the H_2O_2-assisted system in five cycles. Therefore, this composite photocatalyst will be beneficial for efficient degradation of organic pollutants present in water and air under solar light.