Synthesis and characterization of BiVO4/g-C3N4/GO heterostructure for Photocatalytic application: a study on the effect of the ratio of g-C3N4/GO

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2024-05, Vol.35 (13), p.906, Article 906
• Main Authors: Nissi, J. Rehaboth, Sheebha, I., Vidhya, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption; Bismuth oxides; Carbon nitride; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Current carriers; Dyes; Electrons; Functional groups; Heterostructures; Hydrothermal crystal growth; Light irradiation; Materials Science; Methylene blue; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Photoluminescence; Raman spectroscopy; Vanadates; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-024-12639-9

Visible region active semiconductor photocatalyst, BiVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 /GO composite with various proportions of weight of GO and g-C 3 N 4 are prepared through hydrothermal method in 180 °C for 3 h in furnace. The optimization of both GO and g-C 3 N 4 weight ratio with BiVO 4 has been studied here. The prepared samples shows monoclinic BVO 4 phase. And due to the low quantity of g-C 3 N 4 and GO the peaks for respective material was disappeared. The prepared nanoparticles show rod like and rod with sheet like morphology. The prepared samples show higher capacity of absorption in UV–Visible region. The higher ratio of GO and lower ratio of g-C 3 N 4 with BiVO 4, i.e. 7 GB showed highest photocatalytic efficiency of 78% in 180 min for methylene blue degradation in visible light irradiation. The degradation efficiency correlates with the result of photoluminescence data, optical absorption data, i.e. low bandgap of 1.82 eV and reduced recombination of charge carriers. The functional group of the sample has been analyzed by FTIR. The crystal nature and bonding between the heterostructure has examined by Raman analysis and the composition of the sample has examined by XPS. The 7 GB showed more specific surface area than 0B. The photodegradation was further analyzed by varying the MB dye concentration and pH of the dye solution and 90% of MB dye degradation has been observed in 60 min at pH 9. The FTIR result of the sample before and after the dye degradation confirms its stability.