Characterization of Visible-Light-Induced BiVO<inf>4</inf> Photocatalyst Synthesized by Chemical Combustion Method Fueled by Tartaric Acid

Abstract

Abstract: BiVO4 samples as visible light driven photocatalyst were prepared by the chemical combustion method fueled by tartaric acid and followed by high temperature calcination at 450–600°C in ambient air. Thermal behavior, phase, morphology and vibration mode of BiVO4 samples were analyzed by thermal analyzer (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. TGA analysis of precursor shows the appropriate calcination temperature to transform precursor into BiVO4 crystal. X-ray powder diffraction patterns and SEM images were used to index the monoclinic scheelite BiVO4 nano- and micro-particles. Effect of calcination temperature on photocatalytic efficiency of BiVO4 samples was investigated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation. In this research, BiVO4 with high temperature calcination at 450°C has the highest photocatalytic activity because of the large active surface site on BiVO4 nanoparticles. Active radicals in degrading of MB were investigated and found that O-2 and OH radicals are the main active species for photodegradation of MB over BiVO4 under visible light irradiation.