Photocatalytic degradation of MB dye and paracetamol drug, via hydrothermally synthesised praseodymium doped Bi4V2O11 nanoparticles

Abstract

We studied the photocatalytic behaviour and the synthesis of praseodymium doped bismuth vanadate. One-pot hydrothermal technique is used to develop Pr/Bi4V2O11 where Pr3+ is replaces confirmed V5+ in the lattice. The transformation of phase from monoclinic to tetragonal is determined by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra. This transformation is probably due to the doping of Pr3+ in Bi4V2O11 lattice. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to investigate the morphology, elemental compositions, and chemical properties of the synthesized photocatalysts. The absorption range and bandgap energy of the photocatalysts were categorised by using UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Dye derivative (MB dye) and drug derivative (paracetamol) are used to determine the performance of photocatalyst in the presence of visible-light. 40% Pr/Bi4V2O11 exhibiting outstanding photocatalytic activity. The photoluminescence spectra revealed that the recombination of photogenerated charges was considerably reduced and the photocatalytic activity was enhanced by the doping of Pr3+ for V5+ in the Bi4V2O11 lattice. The quenching analyses were carried out to detect active radical species in the photocatalytic process and understand the mechanism better.