One-pot microwave synthesized high-performance BiVO4/InVO4 heterojunction for photocatalytic reduction of Cr6+

A series of BiVO4/InVO4 composites were synthesized by one-pot microwave method based on the ratio regulation of Bi/In. Consequently, the as-fabricated BiVO4/InVO4 photocatalysts performed higher photocatalytic activities (100%) than pure InVO4 and BiVO4. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The results indicate the formation of BiVO4/InVO4 and it possesses enhanced solar light absorption. The enhanced reduction rate is ascribed to the efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers due to the heterojunction formed between BiVO4 and InVO4. The possible photocatalytic mechanism of BiVO4/InVO4 composite was also discussed in detail.