Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic properties of Cu-loaded BiVO(4)

A series of Cu-loaded BiVO(4) (Cu-BiVO(4)) catalysts were prepared by impregnation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and special surface area. The photocatalytic activities of Cu-BiVO(4) catalysts for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) were found to depend largely on the Cu content and the calcination temperature. The optimum Cu loading and calcination temperature were found to be 5 at.% and 300 degrees C, respectively. The results of XPS and SEM analysis indicated that Cu, CuO in this case, was dispersed on the surface of BiVO(4). The results of DRS analysis showed that the Cu-BiVO(4) series catalysts had significant optical absorption in the visible region between 550 and 800 nm and found that the absorption intensity increased with the enhancement of Cu content. An efficient N-demethylation of MB using Cu-BiVO(4) catalyst (5 at.% Cu content) calcined at 300 degrees C was also observed.