Synergistic effect of Ag and Cu co-doping on the structural, optical, and photocatalytic performance of BiVO4

Abstract

In this work, Ag- or/and Cu-doped BiVO4 samples have been prepared successfully via hydrothermal and photoreduction method. Ag/Cu co-doped BiVO4 exhibited high photocatalytic degradation efficiency in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and displayed a significantly superior property compared to pure BiVO4, as well as only Ag- or Cu-doped BiVO4 upon exposure to visible light source. Interestingly, we found that enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag/Cu co-doped BiVO4 arises from the synergistic effect between the Ag and Cu co-doped BiVO4 with smaller crystalline size, improved photocatalytic reaction sites, improved lifetime, and enhanced separation of photogenerated charge carriers which are confirmed using different characterization techniques. The degradation of MB was mainly indicated by superoxide radical species as confirmed by the trapping experiment. Based on the collective results obtained, an excellent photocatalytic activity in Ag/Cu co-doped BiVO4 has been confirmed.