Synthesis of Co-doped BiVO4 via a hydrothermal method for decomposition of methylene blue under visible light

Abstract

    In this study, Co-doped BiVO4 was sucessfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized Co-doped BiVO4 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (UV-Vis DRS). The XRD and Raman results shown that the BiVO4 crystallites show a monoclinic-scheelite structure. Co-doped concentrations had a significant effect on the formation and size of the crystalline material. The adsorption properties of the material with the cobalt or cobalt oxide particles on the BiVO4 surface was strongly enhanced. All samples can absorb visible light. The 0.2Co-BiVO4 sample exhibited the best photocatalytic activity, 96.78% MB removal was achieved within 180 min.