Self-assembled nano-disk architecture of broccoli-shaped Bi4V2O11 anchored with Ag-Ag3O4 co-catalyst as 3D/0D solar-light-driven Z-scheme photocatalyst: Textile industry effluents remediation

Abstract

In this study, self-assembled nano-disk architecture of broccoli-shaped Bi4V2O11 anchored with Ag-Ag3O4 co-catalyst as 3D/0D solar-light-driven Z-scheme nanophotocatalyst was synthesized for the first time and applied in the process of photocatalytic degradation of several dye pollutants in aqueous solutions. To evaluate the photodegradation performance, Ag-Ag3O4/Bi4V2O11 nanophotocatalysts of various compositions were synthesized and characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BET-BJH), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) analyses. The XRD proved the nanophotocatalyst's crystallinity without the presence of additional substances. The observation analyses revealed the 3D broccoli-shaped Bi4V2O11 with a self-assembly nano-disk-like architecture in which each nano-disk includes an assembly of the nano-sphere particles. The BET-BJH showed that Ag-Ag3O4/Bi4V2O11 nanophotocatalysts consist of macropores (0.0875 cm3/g) that increase light absorption without scattering and contaminant adsorption. According to the DRS analysis, Ag-Ag3O4(25%)/Bi4V2O11 nanophotocatalyst had two absorption edges (proving the formation of the heterojunction photocatalyst), plasmonic properties, and the ability to capture visible light. This sample showed a decrease in the charge carriers’ recombination rate based on the PL analysis. The photodegradation tests indicated that within 180 min of irradiation, Ag-Ag3O4(25%)/Bi4V2O11 removed 99.76%, 99.52%, 94.05%, and 81.71% of crystal violet, acid orange 7, methylene blue and rhodamine B pollutants respectively, indicating the high photodegradation capability of this nanophotocatalyst.