Platinum doped bismuth vanadate (Pt/BiVO4) for enhanced photocatalytic pollutant degradation using visible light irradiation

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 33; no. 18; pp. 15116 - 15131
• Main Authors: Sajid, Muhammad Munir, Zhai, Haifa, Alomayri, Thamer, Khan, Sadaf Bashir, Javed, Yasir, Shad, Naveed Akhtar, Ishaq, Ali Raza, Amin, Nasir, Zhang, Zhengjun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bismuth oxides; Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Conduction bands; Electromagnetic absorption; Electrons; Energy bands; Energy gap; Heterostructures; Light irradiation; Materials Science; Methylene blue; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Photodegradation; Platinum; Pollutants; Vanadates
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-022-08431-2

Due to favourable bandgap for visible light absorption and catalytic activity, mixed metal vanadate is a fascinating family of materials. This paper describes the sonicated assisted hydrothermal synthesis of platinum doped bismuth vanadate (Pt/BiVO 4 ) semiconductor photocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity of Pt/BiVO 4 was tested against the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The hydrothermal approach was used to prepare BiVO 4 photocatalysts, whereas the sonication method was used to make Pt/BiVO 4 heterostructure photocatalysts. Owed to strong connectivity between BiVO 4 and Pt co-catalysts, the produced Pt/BiVO 4 photocatalysts were mechanically stable during the photodegradation test. The reason for improved photocatalytic response and the basic involved mechanisms is debated in detail. The use of Pt as a co-catalyst increased photocatalytic activity. The ideal Pt addition concentration was observed at 3.0 wt% Pt/BiVO 4 photocatalyst which exhibited 100% degradation efficiency within 3 h for methylene blue dye owing to substantial specific surface area (14.92 m 2 /g), reduced optical energy band gap (1.99 eV), and effective separation of electron–hole pairs. Electrons from the conduction band of BiVO 4 transpose to Pt surface, Pt causes a prolonged charges lifetime; in addition, these electrons take part in photocatalytic activity. The results indicated that the photocatalytic activities of Pt/BiVO 4 were improved compared with the pure BiVO 4 . The EPR results show that reactive OH· plays the primary part in MB deterioration, whereas h + and ·O 2 play minor roles. In conclusion, this work opens a new horizon for maturing Pt-based favourable and reasonable co-catalyst for commercial purposes owing to efficient solar utilization, low-cost, facile, and environmental-friendly scheme for degradation of organic pollutants at the industrial level in the future.