Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance of Visible-Light-Driven BiVO4 Nanoparticles through W and Mo Substituting

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4), W-doped BiVO4 (BiVO4:W), and Mo-doped (BiVO4:Mo) nanoparticles were synthesized at pH = 4 using a green hydrothermal method. The effects of 2 at% W or Mo doping on the microstructural optical characteristics as-prepared effect combining particle morphology modification impurity dopant incorporation visible-light-derived photocatalytic degradation dilute Rhodamine B (RhB) solution are studied. XRD examination revealed that these obtained BiVO4-based had highly crystalline single monoclinic phase. SEM TEM observations showed could modify surface morphology, change shape, reduce diameter to enlarge their specific area, increasing reactive sites process. XPS FL measurements indicated W- possessed higher concentrations oxygen vacancies, which promote n-type semiconductor property. It was found BiVO4:W BiVO4:Mo powder samples exhibited better activity for efficient RhB removal than shown by pristine under visible light illumination. That feature can be ascribed larger area improved concentration photogenerated charge carriers former.