Facile fabrication of a new BiFeWO6/α-AgVO3 composite with efficient visible-light photocatalytic activity for dye-degradation

Abstract

In this work, we first time reported the BiFeWO6/α-AgVO3 composite as photocatalyst for waste-water treatment. Firstly, the BiFeWO6 nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple solvothermal route. Afterwards, a sequence of the BiFeWO6/α-AgVO3 composites was synthesized with various amounts of BiFeWO6 through a cost-effective co-precipitation route. The visible-light photocatalytic behaviors of these BiFeWO6/α-AgVO3 composites were further assessed through the removal of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye. It is indicates that BiFeWO6/α-AgVO3 composite displays a higher photocatalytic response than that of pure α-AgVO3 and BiFeWO6. This enhanced response of BiFeWO6/α-AgVO3 composite is mainly owing to the fast separation and migration of the photo-generated charge carriers via the creation of heterojunction between the BiFeWO6 and α-AgVO3. The recycling experiments demonstrate that BiFeWO6/α-AgVO3 possesses a better photostability and reusability character. Furthermore, a possible photocatalytic mechanism of BiFeWO6/α-AgVO3 composite for removal of RhB was also presented. Therefore, this fabricated BiFeWO6/α-AgVO3 composite can be a promising photocatalytic material for environmental remediation work.