Structural phase-transition in CeVO4 nanobelts by P-doping enables better levofloxacin photocatalysis

The visible-light-induced photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin was investigated based on belt-like CeVO4 homojunctions via P-doping-induced partial phase transition from tetragonal zircon (t-CeVO4) to monoclinic monazite (m-CeVO4). Such a homojunction allowed for the complete interface optimization of t-CeVO4/m-CeVO4, to boost visible-light harvesting and enhance electron-hole transferring and separating, making a contribution to an effective visible-light-induced photocatalysis. P-doped CeVO4 homostructured nanobelts achieved outstanding photocatalytic activity, high long-term stability, and superior reusability in consecutive levofloxacin photocatalysis experiments. The striking photocatalytic performance of t-CeVO4/m-CeVO4 homojunction can be attributed to a favorable band structure, interface electronic properties, surface oxygen vacancy, and unique cumulative intrinsic properties of belt-like t-CeVO4 and m-CeVO4, synergistically created by this doping-induced structural phase transition strategy. A reaction mechanism for levofloxacin degradation is proposed in terms of band-gap discussion, and trapping experiments. This work might provide a deep insight into designing novel homojunction photocatalysts to facilitate the wastewater decontamination, and environmental remediation using photocatalytic technology.