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Application of BiVO4-MWCNT nanocomposites for boosted photocatalytic oxidation of atrazine under visible light

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Abstract

Numerous examinations have been implemented for the powerful removal of atrazine (AZ) herbicide from the contaminated environments. This study aimed to prepare BiVO4-MWCNT nanocomposites that were subsequently probed for the photocatalytic destruction of AZ under visible light illumination. BiVO4@MWCNT photocatalysts were synthesized via incorporating the synthesized BiVO4 nanoparticles (NPs) with various percentages of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT, 1–4 wt.%). Structure, morphology, and phase composition of the synthesized materials were elucidated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) analyses. It has been affirmed that synthesized photocatalysts display amended surface, textural, photocatalytic, and physicochemical characteristics. HRTEM image of the photocatalyst accommodating 3 wt.% MWCNT affirms the presence of (121) crystal plane of BiVO4 in addition to (002) crystal plane of MWCNT within the investigated sample. Inclusion of 3 and 4 wt.% MWCNT caused an improvement in the surface area to the values of 165 and 166 m2/g, respectively, in comparison to that of pure BiVO4 (150 m2/g). Expanded absorption in visible region has been revealed by the optimized BiVO4@MWCNT-3 wt.% nanocomposite that could be accredited to its confined band gap (1.76 eV). Distinguished photocatalytic destruction of AZ has been practiced by 1.6 gL–1 BiVO4@MWCNT-3 wt.% photocatalyst after 30 min of irradiation by visible light. The synthesized BiVO4@MWCNT nanocomposite displayed considerable stability towards AZ decomposition under visible light after recycling for five runs that enables its application for industrial purposes. The admirable features accomplished by the synthesized photocatalyst could be assigned to the enlarged visible light absorption owing to the limited bandgap, modified surface characteristics and prohibited recombination between the charge carriers.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia under grant no. G: 27-130-1442. The authors, therefore, acknowledge with thanks DSR for technical and financial support.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80203, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Tariq R. Sobahi

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Sobahi, T.R. Application of BiVO4-MWCNT nanocomposites for boosted photocatalytic oxidation of atrazine under visible light. Appl Nanosci 11, 2811–2822 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-021-02177-9

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