The controllable synthesis of novel heterojunction CoO/BiVO4 composite catalysts for enhancing visible-light photocatalytic property

Novel heterojunction CoO/BiVO4 composite catalysts with enhanced the visible-light photocatalytic activities were successfully prepared with a simple one-step hydrothermal-calcination method. The CoO nanoparticles are deposited on the surface of the semiconductor BiVO4 nanocrystals to form a heterostructure. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by degrading C.I. Reactive Blue 19 (RB-19) under visible-light irradiation. Compared with as-made samples under different pH values, the CoO/BiVO4 composite catalysts (pH = 3) showed superior photocatalytic degradation activities. The degradation rate of RB-19 solution could be up to 100% in 30 min under visible light irradiation because of enhancing visible-light absorption and separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs. [Display omitted] Novel heterojunction CoO/BiVO4 composite catalysts with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activities were successfully prepared with a simple one-step hydrothermal-calcination method. The CoO nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of the semiconductor BiVO4 nanocrystals to form heterostructure. The morphology and optical properties of the as-synth catalysts were characterized using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Compared with as-made samples under different pH values, the CoO/BiVO4 composite catalysts (pH = 3) showed superior photocatalytic degradation activities. The degradation rate of RB-19 solution could be up to 100% in 30 min under visible light irradiation because of enhancing visible-light absorption and separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs. In addition, trapping experiment demonstrated O2− and h+ played crucial roles in the photocatalytic process of degrading C.I. Reactive Blue 19 (RB-19) under visible-light irradiation.