Fabricating Nano-Sized BiVO4/InVO4/g-C3N4 Photocatalysts for Efficient Degradation of Acid Blue 92 Azo Dye

Abstract

BiVO4/InVO4 and BiVO4/InVO4/g-C3N4 were prepared by hydrothermal and ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal methods respectively. All prepared samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared catalysts was determined by degradation of Acid Blue 92 (AB92) under visible light. The rate constant and efficiency of AB92 degradation over BiVO4/InVO4/g-C3N4 was higher than that over BiVO4/InVO4 which indicates better photocatalytic activity of BiVO4/InVO4/g-C3N4. This enhancement can be attributed to the suitable dispersion of BiVO4 and InVO4 particles on the g-C3N4 surface. Furthermore, the conduction band and valence band edge potentials of InVO4, BiVO4 and g-C3N4 extend the life-time of electron–hole pairs which is beneficial for the improvement of photocatalytic efficiency.