Fabrication of Ag particles deposited BiVO4 photoanode for significantly efficient visible-light driven photoelectrocatalytic degradation of β-naphthol

Herein, we successfully fabricated the Ag deposited BiVO4 (ABVO) electrode via the combination of electrodeposition and photodeposition for efficient photoelectrocatalytic degradation of β-naphthol under visible-light illumination (λ > 420 nm). The photocurrent density of ABVO photoanode was around 1.6 times higher than that of BiVO4 (BVO) under visible-light irradiation at 1.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which was ascribed to the reduced recombination rate of photoinduced electron-hole pairs, as confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott-Schottky plots. Additionally, the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation rate of β-naphthol (10 mg L−1, 300 mL) by ABVO could approximately reach 80%, whose corresponding kinetic constant was 1.56 times higher than BVO. Based on the radical quenching experiments and EPR results, the •OH and •O2- radicals played crucial roles in PEC degradation of β-naphthol. The enhanced PEC performance of ABVO can be ascribed to the synergy of photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of deposited Ag particles, which can effectively suppress the recombination of photoinduced electron-hole pairs, thereby prolonging the photo-excited charges lifespans and promoting the PEC performance. Furthermore, the ABVO photoanode possesses excellent recyclability, outstanding stability and strong resistance to acid and alkali, which can be a promising candidate for PEC organic contaminants degradation.