Hydrothermal synthesis and visible-light photocatalytic activity of porous peanut-like BiVO4 and BiVO4/Fe3O4 submicron structures

Porous peanut-like BiVO4 and BiVO4/Fe3O4 submicron structures were synthesized by a template-free hydrothermal process at 160 degrees C for 24 h. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and UV vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of BiVO4 and BiVO4/Fe3O4 submicron structures were evaluated for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation with and without the assistance of H2O2. According to the experimental results obtained, porous peanut-like BiVO4/Fe3O4 composite photocatalyst shows higher photocatalytic activity in the H2O2-assisted system under visible light irradiation compared to BiVO4. Recycling test on the BiVO4/Fe3O4 composite photocatalyst for the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation indicates that the composite photocatalyst is stable in the H2O2-assisted system in five cycles. Therefore, this composite photocatalyst will be beneficial for efficient degradation of organic pollutants present in water and air under solar light. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.