Effects of aluminum substitution on photocatalytic property of BiVO{sub 4} under visible light irradiation
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Photocatalysis, Research Institute of Photocatalysis, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 (China)
Graphical abstract: Visible-light-driven Al/BiVO{sub 4} photocatalyst was prepared by a hydrothermal process. After introducing Al, the BiVO{sub 4} particles retain monoclinic scheelite structures and the ability of visible light absorption is enhanced. XPS and FTIR results reveal that the Al ions influence the local structure of the BiVO{sub 4}. The photocatalytic experiments demonstrate that the Al species incorporation can effectively enhance the photocatalytic activity of BiVO{sub 4} due to the existence of distorted VO{sub 4}{sup 3-} tetrahedron and the stronger optical absorption intensity. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The visible-light-driven Al/BiVO{sub 4} photocatalysts are first prepared in our study. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer It is found that Al is introduced into the BiVO{sub 4} lattice successfully. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The Al-doped BiVO{sub 4} shows a far higher photocatalytic activity than undoped BiVO{sub 4}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer One of the reason for the higher activity is the distorted VO{sub 4}{sup 3-} tetrahedron. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Another reason for the higher activity is the strong optical absorption intensity. -- Abstract: Novel visible-light-driven Al/BiVO{sub 4} photocatalysts were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method for the first time. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N{sub 2}-sorption, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by the decomposition of methylene blue under visible light irradiation (400 nm < {lambda} <580 nm) and was compared with that of single-phase BiVO{sub 4}. The results revealed that the introduction of Al can improve photocatalytic performance greatly and different concentration of Al resulted in different photocatalytic activity. The highest activity is obtained by the sample with a doping concentration of 12 at%. The reason for the enhanced photocatalytic activities of Al/BiVO{sub 4} samples was also discussed in this paper.
- OSTI ID:
- 22212476
- Journal Information:
- Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 47, Issue 3; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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