Piezo‐photocatalytic activity of mechanochemically synthesized BiVO₄ for dye cleaning

Abstract

Single-phase BiVO 4 (BV) powder was synthesized successfully at 600 • C within 4 h duration through the mechanochemical high energy ball milling method, and the combined photocatalytic and piezocatalytic activity was studied to exhibit piezo-photocatalytic efficiency. Monoclinic BV phase existence in the synthesized powder was affirmed through Raman spectroscopy and the X-ray diffraction techniques. The scanning electron microscopy affirmed the irregularshaped BV powder in the synthesized powders. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy affirmed the existence of various oxidation states of the elements V, Bi, and O in BV powders. The piezocatalytic and photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) dye degradation efficiency using BV powdered sample was observed to be 28% and 60%, respectively, within 240 min. The piezo-photocatalytic MB dye degradation using BV powdered sample was observed to be 81% within 240 min. Effect of dye concentration on kinetic rate constant was also studied.

Review of Bi-based catalysts in piezocatalytic, photocatalytic and piezo-photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

“…Bi-based catalysts have been extensively applied in piezo-photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants due to their special piezoelectric properties, available morphology and narrow band gap, but they still have limitations, which are mainly related to their photocatalytic activity. 54–56 To solve the problems of slow carrier migration and fast recombination of photo-generated electron–hole pairs, some strategies such as element doping, crystal plane control and heterojunction construction are adopted to improve the electronic and optical properties of Bi-based catalysts, which thus exhibit enhanced organic pollutant degradation performance.…”

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Bi2VO5.5 for Improved Photocatalytic Dye Degradation

“…[22] Recently we reported 60% MB dye degradation efficiency using a ball-milled BiVO 4 powdered sample. [24] Phamalee et. al reported photocatalytic MB dye degradation of Bi 2 VO 5.5 powder prepared through the microwave method.…”

“…So, in order to relinquish the defects induced, BiV is put through post‐annealing treatment. [ 24 , 32 , 33 ] Here, we have tried to explore the efficacy of the ball‐milled BiV powder to attain enhanced photocatalytic efficiency which has not been investigated till now. The ball‐milled powder will surely enhance dye degradation efficiency in less time when used at the industrial level for wastewater treatment.…”

Photocatalytic dye degradation using BiVO4–paint composite coatings

“…38 The monoclinic scheelite structure is reported to give the best visible light photocatalytic degradation. 39 BiVO 4 can be synthesized through the hydrothermal method, microwave-assisted methods, co-precipitation, solid-state synthesis, and sono-chemical method. [40][41][42][43] Paints are considered one of the important construction materials among steel, window glass, cement, insulation materials, etc.…”

“…38 The monoclinic scheelite structure is reported to give the best visible light photocatalytic degradation. 39 BiVO 4 can be synthesized through the hydrothermal method, microwave-assisted methods, co-precipitation, solid-state synthesis, and sono-chemical method. 40–43…”