An Efficient, Visible Light Driven, Selective Oxidation of Aromatic Alcohols and Amines with O2 Using BiVO4/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite: A Systematic and Comprehensive Study toward the Development of a Photocatalytic Process

Abstract

In this study, BiVO4 was prepared by a hydrothermal synthesis route in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate using aqueous NH3 as precipitant. g-C3N4 was prepared by a combustion method using melamine. In order to develop highly efficient photocatalyst, a heterojunction catalyst based on g-C3N4 and BiVO4 was prepared. Different amounts of BiVO4 and g-C3N4 were mixed and annealed to obtain heterojunction photocatalysts. FeVO4 and LaVO4 were also prepared for the comparative catalytic investigation. Catalysts were characterized by a series of complementary combinations of powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, N2 adsorption–desorption, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, temperature-programmed desorption of NH3 and CO2, diffuse reflectance ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemical studies. Catalysts were investigated in the visible light driven oxidation of benzy...