Natural sunlight active GdVO4–ZnO nanomaterials for photo–electrocatalytic and self–cleaning applications

Abstract

In this study 3wt% GdVO4–ZnO nanomaterial (3wt% of Gd as GdVO4 in ZnO) was fabricated via template-free hydrothermal process and its photocatalytic activity was tested for the degradation of azo dyes Rhodamine–B (Rh–B) and Trypan Blue (TB) in solar light. GdVO4–ZnO was characterised by X–ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE–SEM), High resolution Transmission electron microscopy (HR–TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Diffused reflectance (DRS) and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results suggest that GdVO4 loading has great influence on the photocatalytic activity. The fabricated GdVO4–ZnO possesses high reusability without appreciable loss of catalytic activity up to four runs. Higher electrocatalytic activity of GdVO4–ZnO relative to GdVO4 and ZnO for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium reveals its promising potential as the anode catalyst in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). Significant hydrophobicity of GdVO4–ZnO indicates its self cleaning property.