Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue over Co-Ag<sub>3</sub>VO<sub>4</sub> under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

In order to improve the photocatalytic activity, Co was successfully loaded into Ag3VO4 by using impregnation process. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The XRD and SEM–EDS analyses revealed that Co ion was dispersed on Ag3VO4. The DRS results indicated that the absorption edge of the Co–Ag3VO4 catalyst shifted to longer wavelength. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Co–Ag3VO4 for Methylene Blue(MB) dye degradation under visible light irradiation was due to its wider absorption edge and higher separation rate of photo-generated electron and holes. In the experimental conditions, it is demonstrated that the MB was effectively degraded by more than 95% within 40 min when the Co–Ag3VO4 catalyst was calcined at 300°C with 1 wt.% Co content.