Fabrication of Bi0/BiVO4 with enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic activity

In this study, Bi0/BiVO4 was synthesized by a facile and green strategy using ascorbic acid. Microstructure, morphology, optical properties and photogenerated carriers separation behavior of the samples were investigated. Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) by Bi0/BiVO4 under visible light irradiation was studied. The results show that carriers separation efficiency and photocatalytic performance of Bi0/BiVO4 are effectively improved compared with the reference BiVO4, photocatalytic property of Bi0/BiVO4 is 3.1 times of that of the reference BiVO4. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of Bi0/BiVO4 is mainly attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Bi0 deposited on the surface of BiVO4, which expands the light response range and accelerates the separation of photogenerated carriers. This work provides an instructive reference for preparation of excellent catalysts.