The {0 1 0} and {1 1 0} facets of BiVO4 were selectively modified by Cu and g-C3N4 to enhance its visible light photocatalytic performance

The preparation of photocatalysts with high photogenerated carrier separation efficiency and excellent light absorption performance plays an important role in environmental pollution control. This paper successfully synthesised decahedral BiVO4 with co-exposed {0 1 0} and {1 1 0} facets by the hydrothermal method. Cu nanoparticles and negatively charged g-C3N4 were selectively deposited on the {0 1 0} and {1 1 0} facets of BiVO4 by photodeposition using methanol and NaIO3 as hole scavengers and electron acceptors, respectively. A Cu/BiVO4/g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst with synergistic effect of the Schottky junction, surface heterojunction and interfacial electric field was prepared. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated under visible light by degrading 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). Compared to pure BiVO4 and g-C3N4, Cu/BiVO4/g-C3N4-30 showed the best photocatalytic performance. The degradation efficiency of MBT was 97.9% in 60 min and the degradation efficiency of CIP was 92.8% in 120 min. The degradation of MBT was studied using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Therefore, this work provides a feasible strategy for designing photocatalysts that degrade organic pollutants.