BiVO 4/CeO 2 nanocomposites with high visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Preparation of bismuth vanadate and cerium dioxide (BiVO 4/CeO 2) nanocomposites as visible-light photocatalysts was successfully obtained by coupling a homogeneous precipitation method with hydrothermal techniques. The BiVO 4/CeO 2 nanocomposites with different mole ratios were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Absorption range and band gap energy, which are responsible for the observed photocatalyst behavior, were investigated by UV-vis diffuse reflectance (UV-vis DR) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activities of the prepared samples were examined by studying the degradation of model dyes Methylene Blue, Methyl Orange, and a mixture of Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange solutions under visible-light irradiation (>400 nm). Results clearly show that the BiVO 4/CeO 2 nanocomposite in a 0.6:0.4 mol ratio exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity in dye wastewater treatment. © 2012 American Chemical Society.