Composite photocatalyst C3N4/BiVO4 for adsorption/photocatalytic degradation of drugs in water

Abstract

C3N4/BiVO4 composites as co-photocatalyst were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal method by varying the weight ratio of g-C3N4/BiVO4. The prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction instrument, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The morphological properties of composites show that g-C3N4 particles is deposited on the surface of BiVO4 while the crystal structure study shows that co-catalysts are existed by X-ray diffraction pattern. The photocatalytic degradation shows improvement by the composite with a ratio of 5% g-C3N4/BiVO4, the adsorption/photodegradation of Rhodamine B and Methyl Orange were about 97% and 88%, respectively within 40 min. The result indicates that g-C3N4/BiVO4 are paired their properties which are adsorption/photocatalyst, consequently, efficient spatial charge carrier separation. This finding was applied to remove ciprofloxacin and paracetamol in water. about 65% of paracetamol was removed from water compared with 15% of ciprofloxacin, this result revealing that excellent photodegradation of paracetamol by 5% g-C3N4/BiVO4 composite.