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

Porous peanut-like BiVO₄ and BiVO₄/Fe ₃O₄ submicron structures were synthesized by a template-free hydrothermal process at 160 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/Fe ₃O₄ 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 BiVO ₄/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.