Evaluating the photocatalytic efficiency of the BiVO(4)/rGO photocatalyst

The present study reported the preparation of BiVO(4) by co-precipitation method. The as-prepared BiVO(4) photocatalyst were deposited on rGO sheets to form BiVO(4)/rGO via the hydrothermal method. The crystalline structure, morphological, optical properties, and surface properties of the synthesized pure BiVO(4) compared to BiVO(4)/rGO composite were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectrophotoscopy, UV–vis spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere, and N(2) adsorption-desorption isotherm based on BET theory. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples were evaluated by the degradation of MB dye in aqueous medium under visible light irradiation. The result showed that the BiVO(4)/rGO composite exhibited greater photocatalytic efficiency compared to pure BiVO(4) with the photocatalytic degradation efficiency remains stable up to fifth cycle. The improved activity of the BiVO(4)/rGO composite might be attributed to the high surface area available to adsorb more MB molecules, and efficient charge separation of BiVO(4) through π electron on the rGO structure. According to experimental results, the possible photocatalytic mechanism of the BiVO(4)/rGO composite were determined and the active species hydroxyl radical were reported. Based on photocatalytic activity inhibition in the presence of both h(+) (VB) and O(2)(•−) (CB) scavengers over the BiVO(4) photocatalyst, it can be proposed that the hydroxyl radical generated during the photocatalytic degradation mechanism is mainly responsible by the main active species of h(+) and O(2)(•−) at VB and CB positions, respectively.