Photocatalytic Degradation Of Pollutants Research Articles

Review of Two-Dimensional MXenes (Ti3C2Tx) Materials in Photocatalytic Applications

MXenes (Ti3C2Tx) have gotten a lot of interest since their discovery in 2011 because of their distinctive two-dimensional layered structure, high conductivity, and rich surface functional groups. According to the findings, MXenes (Ti3C2Tx) may block photogenerated electron-hole recombination in the photocatalytic system and offer many activation reaction sites, enhancing the photocatalytic performance and demonstrating tremendous promise in the field of photocatalysis. This review discusses current Ti3C2Tx-based photocatalyst preparation techniques, such as ultrasonic mixing, electrostatic self-assembly, hydrothermal preparation, and calcination techniques. We also summarised the advancements in photocatalytic CO2 reduction, photocatalytic nitrogen fixation, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, and Ti3C2Tx-based photocatalysts in photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. Lastly, the challenges and prospects of Ti3C2Tx in photocatalysis are discussed based on the practical application of Ti3C2Tx.

Simultaneously Achieving Fast Intramolecular Charge Transfer and Mass Transport in Holey D-π-A Organic Conjugated Polymers for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Pollutant Degradation.

Simultaneously realizing efficient intramolecular charge transfer and mass transport in metal-free polymer photocatalysts is critical but challenging for environmental remediation. Herein, we develop a simple strategy to construct holey polymeric carbon nitride (PCN)-based donor-π-acceptor organic conjugated polymers via copolymerizing urea with 5-bromo-2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde (PCN-5B2T D-π-A OCPs). The resultant PCN-5B2T D-π-A OCPs extended the π-conjugate structure and introduced abundant micro-, meso-, and macro-pores, which greatly promoted intramolecular charge transfer, light absorption, and mass transport and thus significantly enhanced the photocatalytic performance in pollutant degradation. The apparent rate constant of the optimized PCN-5B2T D-π-A OCP for 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) removal is ∼10 times higher than that of the pure PCN. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the photogenerated electrons in PCN-5B2T D-π-A OCPs are much easier to transfer from the donor tertiary amine group to the benzene π-bridge and then to the acceptor imine group, while 2-MBT is more easily adsorbed on π-bridge and reacts with the photogenerated holes. A Fukui function calculation on the intermediates of 2-MBT predicted the real-time changing of actual reaction sites during the entire degradation process. Additionally, computational fluid dynamics further verified the rapid mass transport in holey PCN-5B2T D-π-A OCPs. These results demonstrate a novel concept toward highly efficient photocatalysis for environmental remediation by improving both intramolecular charge transfer and mass transport.

Three-Dimensional MXene-Based Functional Materials for Water Treatment: Preparation, Functional Tailoring, and Applications

With the rapid development of economics and society, the water pollution and water shortage problem is becoming more and more severe. Excellent 3D separation functional materials for efficient water purification are highly required, but their design and fabrication still remain a big challenge at present. Benefiting from distinct advantages, such as 2D nanolamellar structure, high hydrophilicity, abundant functional groups, and desirable mechanical strength, 2D transition metal carbide/nitride materials, MXenes, have afforded a new platform for the creation of 3D water treatment functional materials. This review summarizes recent progress in 3D MXene-based functional materials toward wastewater treatment and water reclamation. In this review, common fabrication approaches for 3D MXene structures are emphatically summarized and recent developments of 3D MXene functional materials focused on the capacitive deionization (CDI), solar desalination, adsorption, and photocatalytic degradation of pollutants are critically reviewed. Besides, the impact of the structural design on their material performance is outlined. The critical challenges of 3D MXene materials in the aforementioned fields are also highlighted. Finally, we provide a brief perspective on the future development of 3D MXene materials toward practical effluent treatments.

Biogenic synthesis of CuO nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic degradation of industrial pollutants

The issue of industrial dyes has risen to the forefront of environmental concerns, as they are now recognized as a prevalent form of industrial waste that pollutes our surroundings. As such, it is imperative that efforts be made to address their toxicity, with a view to safeguarding the environment and public health. To this end, the application of nanotechnologies presents a promising solution to the challenge of mitigating the harmful effects of industrial dyes on our environment. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) have been found to possess strong photocatalytic properties and are effective in degrading toxic dyes in polluted water and industrial effluents. In this experimental work, CuO NPs were synthesized using Citrus limon leaves extract as source of bioactive molecules to obtain stable NPs. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the formation of CuO NPs with size range of 20–25 nm with spherical shape. In addition, the prepared NPs utilized as photocatalyst against Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dye, which shows remarkable potency within 180 min with degradation efficiency ∼90%. Thus, CuO NPs can be used as sustainable, cost-effective and efficient alternative for the removal of toxic industrial effluents from water bodies.

Effective Malachite Green Degradation over the Noble Metal-Doped and MOF-Coupled CsSnBr3 Nanocomposite Catalyst

Environmental protection laws require effective and green solutions to tackle water and air pollution issues. For this purpose, perovskite photocatalytic materials have proven to be a promising solution. In this study, CsSnBr3 perovskite, coupled with ZIF-67 and decorated with noble metal Au, was shown to effectively enhance the charge separation and increase the light-absorbing capacity, and thus make the photocatalytic reaction more efficient by surface plasmon resonance. Characterization results from XRD, FTIR, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy indicated that a mixture of cubic and tetragonal crystalline phases was found in the prepared catalyst material. XPS also revealed that in the presence of two oxidation states for tin (Sn), the Au 4f XPS peaks of Au NPs coincided with those retained in colloidal Au particles. Using malachite green as a model compound, organic pollutant photocatalytic degradation tests proved that CsSnBr3 generated good photocatalytic activity for aromatic pollutant degradation. In this research, the synthesized 4Au-7ZIF-CsSnBr3 catalyst yielded an MG degradation rate twice as high as the unpromoted CsPbBr3.

Decrypting the growth of anodic TiO2 nanotube layers in eco-friendly fluoride-free nitrate-based electrolyte for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

Anodic TiO2 nanotube (TNT) layers were prepared in eco-friendly fluoride-free organic-aqueous-based electrolytes containing cerium ammonium nitrate. Nanotubes with controllable morphology (tube diameter and tube length) and surface features (porosity and surface roughness) were obtained by varying percentual ratios of ethylene glycol (Ex%) and water (Wy%) in the electrolyte (Ex%Wy%). Obtained TNT layers were studied for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UVA irradiation. The most promising, TNT layers were prepared in E75%W25% electrolyte with a thickness of approx. 1.9 μm with a tube diameter of approx. 33 nm, and exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation rate (k = 0.0151 min−1).

A portable holey carbon nitride/3D Ag facilely self-assembled on copper sheet for dramatically enhanced SERS and photocatalytic performance

In this work, the protonated holey carbon nitride (ph-CN) on hydroxylated copper sheet (Cu/ph-CN) with effective interfacial contact is prepared via electrostatic self-assembly strategy. Subsequently, a novel bifunctional substrate is constructed by anchoring of 3D Ag (Ag cube and Ag pyramid) mainly embedded within the cavities of Cu/ph-CN (Cu/ph-CN/Ag). Results demonstrate that the Cu/ph-CN/Ag substrate displays a significant SERS and photocatalytic performance for p-aminobenzenethiol (PATP) due to the strong synergistic effect among Cu, ph-CN and 3D Ag. Specifically, the Cu/ph-CN/Ag substrate exhibits a high SERS sensitivity for PATP which shows a low detection limit of 8.96 × 10−11 mol·L−1 with enhancement factor of 1.31 × 106. Also, the PATP in actual water samples can still be identified even at a lower concentration of 1 × 10−9 mol·L−1. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the Cu/ph-CN/Ag substrate for PATP can be as high as 99.51% within 20 min, and the rate constant (k) is up to 0.2525 min−1, which is about ∼33 times that of the CN/Ag system. In addition, this substrate shows high stability and satisfactory recyclability. Thus, it is expected to be used as an eminent bi-functional material for highly sensitive detection and efficient photocatalytic degradation of other environmental pollutants in wastewater.

Construction of high-proportion dual bismuth-based Z-scheme Bi3O4Cl/Bi2MoO6 photocatalytic system via in-situ growth of Bi2MoO6 on Bi3O4Cl for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

In this study, a high-proportion dual bismuth-based Z-scheme Bi3O4Cl/Bi2MoO6 photocatalytic system was constructed via the in-situ growth of Bi2MoO6 on Bi3O4Cl for enhanced visible-light driven photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. The effects of the particle ratio of Bi3O4Cl and Bi2MoO6, organic pollutant initial concentration, catalyst dosage, visible-light irradiation time, degradation kinetics and reused times on the photocatalytic activity of the Z-scheme Bi3O4Cl/Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst were investigated. Moreover, the study compares the photocatalytic degradation extents of norfloxacin, tetracycline, crystal violet, acridine orange and methylene blue using the Z-scheme Bi3O4Cl/Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst, and proposes a possible mechanism on the Z-scheme Bi3O4Cl/Bi2MoO6 photocatalytic system. The results indicate that the high-proportion dual bismuth-based Z-scheme Bi3O4Cl/Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst performs superior photocatalytic activity at a 1.0:1.0 particle ratio. The fuzzy contact interfaces can be formed between Bi2MoO6 and Bi3O4Cl nanoparticles due to the direct in-situ growth of Bi2MoO6 on Bi3O4Cl, which can provide channels for the photo-generated electron transfer to construct the Z-scheme Bi3O4Cl/Bi2MoO6 photocatalytic system. After five cycles, the Z-scheme Bi3O4Cl/Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst maintains high photocatalytic performance. During the photocatalytic degradation, the photo-generated holes play dominant roles, while the contributions of superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical remain approximate. Thus, this photocatalytic technology displays promising application prospects for handling organic contaminants, including antibiotics and dyes, in wastewater.

Efficient interfacial solar driven water evaporation and photocatalytic pollutant degradation by partially oxidized TiH1.924/TiO2 nanosheet

Efficient interfacial solar driven water evaporation and photocatalytic pollutant degradation by partially oxidized TiH1.924/TiO2 nanosheet

Sonochemical synthesis of Sn-doped La2O3 nanoparticles and its application for the photocatalytic degradation of hazardous pollutants

Sonochemical synthesis of Sn-doped La2O3 nanoparticles and its application for the photocatalytic degradation of hazardous pollutants

Augmented photocatalytic degradation of Acetaminophen using hydrothermally treated g-C3N4 and persulfate under LED irradiation

Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water using graphitic carbon nitride and persulfate under visible light (g-C3N4/PS system) has been studied. Here, we demonstrate augmentation of photocatalytic degradation of Acetaminophen (AAP) using hydrothermally treated g-C3N4 and PS under 400 nm LED irradiation (HT-g-C3N4/PS system). A pseudo-first-order rate constant (kobs, 0.328 min−1) for degradation of AAP using HT-g-C3N4/PS system was determined to be 15 times higher compared to g-C3N4/PS system (kobs, 0.022 min−1). HT-g-C3N4 showed a higher surface area (81 m2/g) than g-C3N4 (21 m2/g). Photocurrent response for HT-g-C3N4 was higher (1.5 times) than g-C3N4. Moreover, Nyquist plot semicircle for HT-g-C3N4 was smaller compared to g-C3N4. These results confirm effective photoelectron-hole separation and charge-transfer in HT-g-C3N4 compared to g-C3N4. AAP degradation using HT-g-C3N4/PS system was significantly inhibited with O2.− and h+ scavengers compared to 1O2,SO4.− and HO. scavengers. ESR results revealed O2.− formation in HT-g-C3N4/PS system. Moreover, photocurrent measurements reveal AAP oxidation by h+ of HT-g-C3N4 was effective than g-C3N4. HT-g-C3N4 was reused for five cycles in HT-g-C3N4/PS system. Augmented photocatalytic degradation of AAP by HT-g-C3N4/PS system compared to g-C3N4/PS is attributed to effective photoelectron hole separation of HT-g-C3N4 that generates O2.− and h+ for oxidation of pollutant. Importantly, electrical energy per order (EEO) was 7.2 kWh m−3 order−1. kobs for degradation of AAP in simulated groundwater and tap water were determined as 0.029 and 0.035 min−1, respectively. Degradation intermediates of AAP were proposed. AAP ecotoxicity against marine bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri was completely removed after treatment by HT-g-C3N4/PS system.

Acmella oleracea induced nanostructured Ca2Fe2O5 for evaluation of photo catalytic degradation of cardiovascular drugs and bio toxicity

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles is increasingly becoming popular due to the demand for sustainable technologies worldwide. In the present investigation, Acmella oleracea plant extract fuelled combustion technique followed by calcination at 600 °C was adopted to prepare nanocrystalline Ca2Fe2O5. The prepared nano compound was characterised using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Ultra Violet (UV) spectroscopy, Infrared (IR) spectroscopy and its role was assessed for photocatalytic pollutant degradation along with bactericidal action in the concentration range of 1 μg/mL to 320 μg/mL. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of pollutant drugs Clopidogrel Bisulphate and Asprin used for cardiovascular disorders is around 80% with 10 mg/L photocatalyst. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity increased with rising pH from 4, to 10, along with a significant antibacterial action against Enterococcus faecalis bacteria and a slight cytotoxic effect at high concentrations. The antibacterial property was reinforced by Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) studies with an average value of 0.103 at 600 nm which was further proved by significant anti-biofilm activeness. Adhesion tests in conjunction with cryogenic-scanning electron microscopy displayed a morphological change through agglomeration that caused an expansion in nano particles from 181 nm to 223.6 nm due to internalization followed by inactivation of bacteria. In addition, the non-toxicity of nano Ca2Fe2O5 was confirmed by subtle cytological changes in microscopic images of Allium Cepa root cells in the concentration range 0.01–100 μg/mL and a slight inhibition in HeLa cell proliferation indicated by IC50 value of 170.94 μg/mL. In total, the current investigation for the first time reveals the application of bio based synthesis of Nano Ca2Fe2O5 to new possibilities in bioremediation namely degrading cardiovascular pharmaceutical pollutants, endodontic antibacterial action and cytological activity.

Application of CdTe quantum dots sensitized titanate nanotubes in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants under visible light irradiation

The use of solar-driven photocatalysis for the degradation of recalcitrant organic waste from water is a promising and environmentally friendly technology to meet the challenge of mitigating increasing global pollution. This paper presents a new composite of layered H2Ti3O7 hydrothermal nanotubes (TNT) with cadmium telluride quantum dots prepared by the simple mixing suspensions of both components in TNT/CdTe-QDs ratios in the range of 1:0.005–1:0.03. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier transform infrared, Raman scattering, UV–visible diffuse reflectance, photoluminescence, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The photocatalytic performance of the products was tested by photocatalytic degradation of two molecular models of contaminants, methyl orange (MO) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). Nearly 100 % removal of organic contaminants was achieved and the degradation rate of MO and 4-CP under simulated sunlight in the presence of QDs was approximately five and four times faster than using TNT alone, respectively. The degradation rate response in the presence of specific radical scavengers corresponds to a direct Z-scheme photocatalysis. Recycling experiments demonstrated a structurally stable catalyst that maintains its efficiency after five irradiation cycles. Photoelectrochemical and photocurrent measurements validated the synergistic effect observed, reflecting that heterojunction promotes the transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes, decreasing recombination changes and improving photocatalytic activity.

Preparation of direct Z-scheme hierarchical MoS2/MnO2 composite for efficient adsorption and wide spectrum photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water

Developing semiconductor-based heterogeneous photocatalysts with high adsorption performance and wide light response range is a significant technology for removing organic pollutants from water. Herein, a novel hierarchical dendritic-like direct Z-scheme MoS2/MnO2 composite with MoS2 hollow tubular decorated by MnO2 nanosheets was successfully fabricated by vacuum freeze-drying. When the mass ratio of MoS2/MnO2 is 3:1, the highest adsorption-photocatalytic removal rate of 94.5% and 95.1% in 120 min for RhB was attained under visible (Vis) and ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, respectively. After three repeated uses, the removal rate of RhB still reached 91.1%. The enhanced adsorption-photocatalytic performance of the composite can be well illustrated according to the hierarchical composite structure, production of •OH, •O2− and h+ active species, oxygen-doping in the MoS2 and the direct Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism. This work gives a good strategy to frame hierarchical Z-scheme photocatalysts for efficient adsorption and wide-spectrum photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants from water.

Cs2SnI6 perovskites nanostructures as excellent photocatalytic degradation of organic dye pollutants in water under visible light: Synthesis and characterization

Pollution of surface waters containing chemical dye combinations and/or biological materials can have adverse effects on human health and other organisms, even in small quantities. The photocatalytic oxidation procedure has been widely regarded as a commercially viable method of removing environmental pollutants. In recent research, Caesium-hexaiodostannate nanostructures (Cs2SnI6) were prepared through a co-precipitation approach and their photocatalytic performance was analyzed. A number of surfactants were examined for their influence on the structure, purity, and morphology of the sample. It was found in the SEM data that the presence of surfactants has a negative impact on the morphology, which may be due to the inability to remove surfactants by calcination at high temperatures. Photocatalytic activity of Cs2SnI6 catalysts was demonstrated over a variety of organic dyes, including methylene blue (MB), rhodamine b (RhB), methyl orange (MO), and methyl violet (MV). Upon exposure to visible light for 180 min, 5 ppm methylene blue showed the greatest degradation (84.0%). Cs2SnI6 nanostructures are being applied for the first time in photocatalytic applications. Due to their wide bandgap (1.7 eV) in the visible region, they may be a suitable candidate for water purification. Moreover, the results indicated that the efficiency of photocatalysis was affected by various parameters, including pH, dye concentration, dye types, catalyst dosages, and surfactants. In the recyclability test, Cs2SnI6 nanostructures were found to be stable, and the removal efficiency was reduced by 6.9% after the fifth run.

Ti–N–C Bonded Close‐Coupled TiO2/g‐C3N4 for Rapid Degradation of Cationic Dyes from a Multi‐Dye System by Persulfate Activation

AbstractA novel Z‐Scheme photocatalyst (TCN) was prepared with TiO2 and graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) and utilized to study the degradation efficiency of a binary dye mixture consisting of 5 ppm Rhodamine B (RhB) and 5 ppm Crystal Violet (CV) solutions by persulfate activation. Derivative spectrometric analysis was adopted to find the degradation efficiencies of the individual dyes in the mixture. The results indicate that in the presence of persulfate ions 0.6 TCN gives 100 % degradation in 60 min and 30 min for Rh B and CV, respectively. Hydroxyl radicals, superoxide radicals, and sulfate radicals were found to be the active species involved in photocatalytic degradation. From the results of radical scavenging experiments and band potentials of the semiconductors, a plausible mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of the model pollutants is proposed.

Intercalation oxidation: A strategy for MoS2 modification to enable photodegradation of pollutants

MoS2 and related modified materials have received more attention as core technologies in mineralized dye molecules, and the injection of intercalators into MoS2 interlayers to change the MoS2 layer spacing to obtain materials with desirable photocatalytic properties is the current trend in modification. Herein, intercalated oxide materials (MSMO/T) were prepared by oxygen-limited calcination, in which the chemical composition and the resulting structure can be effectively controlled to obtain the desired performance for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants by simply changing the calcination temperature. Due to the beneficial structure of MoS2-MoO3 formed by oxygen intercalation and the Z-type heterojunction formed between it and TiO2, the catalytic performance is presented that is superior to that of a single material. Specifically, the MoS2 is structurally engineered and bound by oxygen intercalation layers. Effective mineralized degradation of pollutants under visible light can be achieved within 120 min without external push, and the relevant characterization demonstrates excellent photoelectric properties and long-term durability, making it an efficient catalyst for degrading dye molecules in water. This work provides an efficient and convenient way to modify transition metal disulfides for use as advanced materials for photocatalysis as well as other applications.

In situ growth of flower sphere Bi2WO6/Bi-MOF heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic degradation of pollutants: DFT calculation and mechanism

The construction of heterojunctions is an optimal strategy to achieve efficient charge separation and enhance photocatalytic performance. Hence, the flower sphere-like Bi2WO6/Bi-MOF heterojunction were fabricated by in situ growth method of Bi2WO6 on Bi-MOF, and the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants under visible light irradiation was conducted to evaluate their photocatalytic performance. The optimized Bi2WO6/Bi-MOF-0.4 photocatalyst exhibited high photocatalytic activity. The degradation efficiencies of Rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) were 96 % and 80 % within 60 min of light irradiation respectively. The superior photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the constructed type II heterojunction interface between Bi-MOF and Bi2WO6, which significantly accelerated the separation efficiency of interface charges. The possible mechanism for photocatalytic degradation of the pollutant was proposed by Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and band structure. In addition, the degradation pathways of intermediates during photodegradation were investigated by liquid chromatography analysis with mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Multifunctional CeO2-coated pulp/cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) membrane for wastewater treatment: Effective oil/water separation, organic contaminants photodegradation, and anti-bioadhesion activity

Complicated contaminants in wastewater, such as intractable oils, organic colors, and adhering organisms, have generated major environmental problems that are hazardous to ecosystems and human health, and wastewater purification is complex and difficult to achieve with a single substance or single process. A facile yet environmentally friendly technique for fabricating a superhydrophobic, oil-water separation, anti-bioadhesion, and photocatalytic Pulp/cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) membrane for all-in-one wastewater treatment is presented here. In this strategy, the hierarchical micro/nanostructured CeO2 nanoparticles and stearic acid (STA)-coated Pulp/CNF (Pulp/CNF-CeO2-STA) membrane is fabricated via a straightforward and easy-to-operate coating method, which simultaneously endows the membrane with superwetting ability, good oil-water separation capacity, notable photocatalytic degradation capacity, and outstanding anti-bioadhesion action. According to the experimental results, the suitably prepared Pulp/CNF-CeO2-STA membrane displayed superior superhydrophobicity (water contact angle: 166 ± 2°), high separation efficiency (88%), and high throughput (73 L·m−2·h−1). This Pulp/CNF-CeO2-STA membrane also showed significant photocatalytic degradation (>94%) of organic dye pollutants in water, as well as good anti-bioadhesive performance against Chlorella. As such, it serves several functions in wastewater treatment, considerably simplifying installation and saving money in application. In conclusion, this unique coating process is environmentally benign and very practicable, paving the door for the development of multi-functional materials in environmental treatments.

Effective photodegradation of acetaminophen by V2O5 nanocrystals under simulated solar radiation

Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) can absorb light in both ultraviolet (UV) and visible regions making it an important material for the photocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutants under solar radiation. Herein, V2O5 nanocrystals have been chemically synthesized using two different capping agents viz. cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and they are found to be effective photocatalysts under simulated solar radiation (SSR) for degradation of acetaminophen, which is an emerging environmental pollutant. The CTAB-capped and PVP-capped V2O5 nanocrystals degraded 65% and 71% of aqueous acetaminophen after 270 min of irradiation, respectively. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the acetaminophen-polluted water decreased significantly after photocatalysis. The photocatalysts were found to be usable for two consecutive cycles without significant changes in degradation efficiencies. Moreover, the solution pH influenced photocatalysis. The mechanism of the photocatalysis process has been presented considering the split nature of the V2O5 conduction band.