Tungsten-doped BiVO4 and its composite with g-C3N4 for enhanced photocatalytic applications

In this study, BiVO4, W–BiVO4, and W–BiVO4@g-C3N4 composite were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal and ultra-sonication approach respectively. The physiochemical characterizations of BiVO4, W–BiVO4, and W–BiVO4@g-C3N4 were performed by XRD and FTIR techniques. Band gap values of BiVO4 and W–BiVO4 were found to be 2.42 eV and 2.50 eV, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation of pendimethalin (PM) and Aspirin was done in the presence of BiVO4, W–BiVO4, and W–BiVO4@g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation. When used for photocatalytic application, W–BiVO4@g-C3N4 composite showed ∼86% removal of aspirin while W–BiVO4 and pure BiVO4 showed 78% and 63% degradation of aspirin respectively. Furthermore, the nanocomposite (W–BiVO4@g-C3N4) exhibited remarkable degradation activity of ∼91% against PM as compared to BiVO4 (60%) and W–BiVO4 (66%). The higher degradation activity of W–BiVO4@g-C3N4 composite for both aspirin and PM as compared to pure and doped BiVO4 is accredited to its large surface area provided by gCN sheets, and effective separation of photo reactive species because of its Z scheme electron transfer mechanism.