BiVO4 ternary photocatalyst co-modified with N-doped graphene nanodots and Ag nanoparticles for improved photocatalytic oxidation: A significant enhancement in photoinduced carrier separation and broad-spectrum light absorption

[Display omitted] •N-GNDs/Ag/BiVO4 is constructed by co-deposition N-GNDs and Ag-NPs on the BiVO4 surface.•N-GNDs/Ag/BiVO4 display enhanced photocatalytic activity than that of BiVO4.•The synergistic effects of Ag-NPs and N-GNDs enable a full-spectrum response to light.•Schottky energy barrier and electron trap restrain the recombination of carries.•Possible photocatalytic mechanism and intermediates for TC•HCl degradation is proposed. The efficient removal of antibiotics in water is essential to protect aquatic environment as antibiotics are some of the most hazardous pollutants in water. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel N-GNDs/Ag/BiVO4 ternary photocatalyst consisting of BiVO4 coupled with Ag nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and nitrogen-doped graphene nanodots (N-GNDs) to degrade and mineralize tetracycline hydrochloride (TC•HCl) in water. The ternary photocatalyst shows higher photocatalytic degradation of TC•HCl under full spectrum light than pure BiVO4. Based on the morphology, crystalline structure, physicochemical properties, and photoelectrochemical behavior of the ternary photocatalyst, the enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the upconversion effect of N-GNDs and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Ag-NPs. Thus, the synergetic effects expand the absorption range of light and significantly promotes the separation of photoexcited carriers. Further, a possible photocatalytic reaction mechanism of TC•HCl degradation over N-GNDs/Ag/BiVO4 is discussed via through investigation of the charge carrier migration, active species, and intermediates in the degradation processes.