Synthesis of four-angle star-like CoAl-MMO/BiVO 4 p–n heterojunction and its application in photocatalytic desulfurization

A four-angle star-like Co–Al mixed metal oxide (CoAl-MMO)/BiVO 4 heterojunction has been synthesized via a hydrothermal method and following sintering. The CoAl-MMO/BiVO 4 is derived from CoAl-LDHs/BiVO 4 , in which CoAl-LDHs leads to a distribution of amorphous CoAl-MMO. The CoAl-MMO loading on BiVO 4 greatly enhances visible light absorption, improves charge separation by band offset charge transfer, and makes flat band potential more negative. The three effects together result in excellent photocatalytic activity. Under visible light irradiation, desulfurization efficiency of thiophene has achieved up to 98.58% on CoAl-MMO/BiVO 4 with molar ratio of 0.3 : 5.