The Preparation of NiO/BiVO<sub>4</sub> Composite Photocatalyst and its Enhanced Photocatalytic Activities

Abstract

The NiO/BiVO4 composite photocatalysts were synthesized by hydrothermal method and were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum(UV-vis DRS), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), BET techniques. The photocatalytic activities were determined by oxidative decomposition of methyl orange in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the light absorption of the NiO/BiVO4 became higher in the visible range compared to pure BiVO4, meantime, accompanied by a bathochromic shift of the absorption edge. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the photodegradation of Methyl Orange under visible light irradiation. The results showed that NiO loaded evidently improved the photocatalytic activity of BiVO4, and loaded amount had a different impact on the catalytic activity of BiVO4, The 20%NiO/BiVO4 which exhibited the favorable photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of Methyl Orange.