Ce 2 O 3 /BiVO 4 Embedded in rGO as Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Methyl Orange under Visible Light Irradiation

Damian C. Onwudiwe, Boitumelo M. Phadi and Opeyemi A. Oyewo
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Damian C. Onwudiwe: Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Boitumelo M. Phadi: Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Opeyemi A. Oyewo: Department of Science and Technology education, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa

J, 2021, vol. 4, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: A p–n heterojunction semiconductor structure composed of Ce 3 O 4 and BiVO 4 has been synthesized and then incorporated into reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by the hydrothermal method. The ternary composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron diffraction spectroscopy (EDS), and UV–vis spectroscopy. The efficiency of the composites as photocatalysts was determined by studying the oxidative degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The effect of parameters such as pH, catalyst loading, and concentration of the dye solution was examined in order to determine their influence on the photocatalytic activity of the composites. The composite incorporated into reduced graphene oxide presented the highest percentage (above 90%) in 2 h time, attributed to the effect of the increased surface area. The process of the enhanced photocatalytic activity has been discussed based on the energy band positions of the nanoparticles within the composite.

Keywords: Ce 2 O 3 /BiVO 4 photocatalyst; p–n heterojunction; reduced GO; photocatalysis; visible light; dye degradation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I1 I10 I12 I13 I14 I18 I19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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