Highly efficient photodegradation of toxic organic pollutants using Cu-doped V₂O₅ nanosheets under visible light

Photodegradation of organic pollutants using metal oxides has shown extraordinary promise owing to the catalytic efficacy, low cost, less noxiousness, and good chemical constancy. In this research, pure and transition metal ions (Cu)-doped V₂O₅ nanosheets were synthesized and investigated for their photocatalytic efficiency using methyl blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) organic dye pollutants under visible light irradiation. The orthorhombic crystal phase was confirmed by XRD analysis, which exhibited a stable phase upon incorporating Cu dopant ions. Optical properties were examined using optical absorption spectroscopy, while a reduced band gap was observed in the doped V₂O₅ nanosheets over the undoped sample. EIS analysis confirmed lower charge resistance in doped V₂O₅ nanosheets. The Cu dopant incorporation into the host matrix considerably enhanced photodegradation efficiency for MB and RhB impurities under light illumination. The improvement in catalytic efficacy is attributed to dopant ions that can separate photoinduced charge carriers and the quick movement of the charge. Moreover, comparatively lesser crystalline size, improved specific surface area, and hydroxyl group onto the catalyst surface are quite advantageous to offer better photocatalytic activity of Cu-doped V₂O₅ nanosheets.