Cellulose supported bismuth vanadate nanocomposite for effective removal of organic pollutant

Agro waste extracted cellulose supported bismuth vanadate (Cel/BiVO4) nanocomposite has been derived with significant photocatalytic activity by the utilization of discarded biomass. Cellulose was isolated from waste fruit rinds of sweet lime, orange, pomegranate and banana by alkali hydrolysis, bleaching and acid treatment. This isolated cellulose is non-toxic, biodegradable and economical in comparison to other supports like graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nano tubes, etc. Firstly, we synthesized BiVO4 nanostructures by hydrothermal route. Then, by varying the amount of extracted cellulose, Cel/BiVO4 nanocomposites were prepared and characterized via XRD, FTIR, FESEM, XPS and BET analysis. The photocatalytic activity of Cel/BiVO4 photocatalysts was checked for the degradation of methyl orange dye under visible light (Tungsten 200 W). The kinetic studies showed that the rate of pristine BiVO4 (0.017) was less as compared to Cel/BiVO4 (0.024) when the amount of cellulose used was 800 mg. The photocatalytic results concluded that cellulose acted as a support which developed an interface with BiVO4 that aided in lessening the electron-hole recombination by improving the photodegradation efficiency of the catalyst. Thus, organic–inorganic hybrid nanostructures served as a paradigm for this advanced photocatalytic processes.