Novel CuBi2o4/V2o5 Z-scheme photocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of dyes under visible light irradiation

Abstract

The advanced oxidation processes using heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysis is an interesting technique used for dye removal in industrial wastewater. In this paper, an experimental study is being carried out by synthesizing the Copper Bismuth oxide- Vanadium pentoxide (CuBi2O4/V2O5) nanocomposite photocatalyst for effective dye-degradation through photocatalysis under visible light irradiation. The as-synthesized photocatalyst has been characterized using X-Ray Diffraction and scanning electron microdcopy techniques. The optical property of the synthesized photocatalysts has been analyzed by UV-Visible DRS. The removal efficiency of the has been tested on RhB, MB and MO dyes under visible LED light irradiation. The 30-CuBi2O4/V2O5 nanocomposite has a removal efficiency of 73.8 % on RhB (20 mg/L) solution for 60 minutes of photocatalysis while the pristine materials V2O5 and CuBi2O4 have a removal efficiency of 20.7 % and 7 % only under the given reactor setup condition. The effect of photocatalyst dose, initial solution pH, initial dye concentration and stirring on the photocatalytic degradation of RhB by using 30-CuBi2O4/V2O5 has been reported. The 30-CuBi2O4/V2O5 adsorbed 95 % of MB (20 mg/L) dye in 30 minutes. Based on radical scavenging experiments and energy band structures, a Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism has been suggested. During the photocatalytic degradation of RhB, the as-prepared 30- CuBi2O4/V2O5 nanocomposite also displayed 79 % COD removal efficiency in 60 minutes.