Graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots loaded on leaf-like InVO4/BiVO4 nanoheterostructures with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

The visible-light photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4 quantum dots (CNQDs)/InVO4/BiVO4 nanoheterostructures was investigated. The as-prepared nanoheterostructures included CNQDs assembling on the surface of leaf-like InVO4/BiVO4 crystals. The nanocomposite displayed much higher visible-light photocatalytic efficiency than that of pure CNQDs, BiVO4, InVO4, CNQDs/InVO4, CNQDs/BiVO4 or InVO4/BiVO4. It was elucidated that the excellent photocatalytic activity of CNQDs/InVO4/BiVO4 can be ascribed to the extended absorption in the visible light region resulting from CNQDs loading, and the efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes through CNQDs/InVO4/BiVO4 heterostructure. The quenching effects of different scavengers demonstrated that O-2(center dot-) played the major role in the Rh B degradation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.