Enhanced photocatalytic activity of V2O5 nanorods for the photodegradation of organic dyes: A detailed understanding of the mechanism and their antibacterial activity

• Published in: Materials science in semiconductor processing 2018-10, Vol.85, p.122-133
• Main Authors: Jayaraj, Santhosh Kumar, Sadishkumar, Vishwanathan, Arun, Thirumurugan, Thangadurai, Paramasivam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-bacterial; Methyl orange; Methylene blue; Photocatalysis; Photostability; Rhodamine 6G; V2O5 nanorods
• ISSN: 1369-8001; 1873-4081
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2018.06.006

Photocatalytic activity of the hydrothermally prepared V2O5 nanorods had been tested for Rhodamine 6G (Rh-6G), methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The photodegradation was maximum for Rh-6G (85%) followed by 48% and 24% for MO and MB respectively and it was faster in Rh-6G. The degradation rate constant and half-life time were 0.603 h−1 and 1.229 h respectively for Rh-6G and responsible for enhanced photocatalytic performance. The degradation of Rh-6G had occurred via N-de-ethylation process. The Rh-6G had best performed in the neutral pH conditions, better in acidic and poor in basic conditions. Increasing photodegradation in Rh-6G was understood by scavenging the increasingly formed •OH radicals by the PL emission of formed photoluminescent species 2-TAOH. The effect of active O•2− is demonstrated to be major player on the degradation of Rh-6G. The V2O5 nanorods showed reproducible, repeatable, and efficient degradation of Rh-6G in aqueous solution. Additionally, it showed good anti-bacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. [Display omitted]