Z-scheme 2D-m-BiVO4 networks decorated by a g-CN nanosheet heterostructured photocatalyst with an excellent response to visible light. Issue 6 (20th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahmed, Toheed; Ammar, Muhammad; Saleem, Aimen; Zhang, Hong-ling; Xu, Hong-bin
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 10:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 3192
• Page End: 3202
• Publication Date: 2020-01-20
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ra09473c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : For economical water splitting and degradation of toxic organic dyes, the development of inexpensive, efficient, and stable photocatalysts capable of harvesting visible light is essential. Abstract : For economical water splitting and degradation of toxic organic dyes, the development of inexpensive, efficient, and stable photocatalysts capable of harvesting visible light is essential. In this study, we designed a model system by grafting graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) (g-CN) nanosheets on the surface of 2D monoclinic bismuth vanadate (m-BiVO4 ) nanoplates by a simple hydrothermal method. This as-synthesized photocatalyst has well-dispersed g-CN nanosheets on the surface of the nanoplates of m-BiVO4, thus forming a heterojunction with a high specific surface area. The degradation rate for bromophenol blue (BPB) shown by BiVO4 /g-CN is 96% and that for methylene blue (MB) is 98% within 1 h and 25 min, respectively. The 2D BiVO4 /g-CN heterostructure system also shows outstanding durability and retains up to ∼95% degradation efficiency for the MB dye even after eight consecutive cycles; the degradation efficiency for BPB does not change too much after eight consecutive cycles as well. The enhanced photocatalytic activities of BiVO4 /g-CN are attributed to the larger surface area, larger number of surface active sites, fast charge transfer and improved separation of photogenerated charge carriers. We proposed a mechanism for the improved photocatalytic performance of the Z -scheme photocatalytic system. The present work gives a good example for the development of a novel Z -scheme heterojunction with good stability and high photocatalytic activity for toxic organic dye degradation and water splitting applications.