3DOM InVO4-supported chromia with good performance for the visible-light-driven photodegradation of rhodamine B

Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) monoclinic InVO4 and its supported chromia (yCrOx/3DOM InVO4, y denotes as the weight percentage of Cr2O3, y = 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) photocatalysts were fabricated using the ascorbic acid-assisted polymethyl methacrylate-templating and incipient wetness impregnation methods, respectively. Physicochemical properties of the materials were characterized by means of a number of analytical techniques. Photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in the presence of H2O2 under visible-light illumination. Compared to 3DOM InVO4 and 15CrOx/bulk InVO4, yCrOx/3DOM InVO4 showed much better visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance for RhB degradation, with the 15CrOx/3DOM InVO4 sample performing the best. It is concluded that the CrOx loading, higher surface area and surface oxygen vacancy density and lower bandgap energy as well as the better quality of 3DOM structure were responsible for the good photocatalytic performance of 15CrOx/3DOM InVO4 for the degradation of RhB.