Sunlight driven photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants using a MnV2O6/BiVO4 heterojunction: mechanistic perception and degradation pathways

In the field of photocatalysis, fabrication of a heterojunction structure with effective charge separation at the interface and charge shift to enhance the photocatalytic activity has acquired extensive consideration. In the present investigation, MnV2O6/BiVO4 heterojunction samples with excellent photocatalytic performance under sunlight irradiation were conveniently synthesized by a hydrothermal technique, and characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, PL, BET and XPS techniques. The prepared samples were investigated as photocatalysts for degrading MB and RhB dyes under sunlight. Among various samples of MnV2O6/BiVO4, the S-V hetero-junction sample exhibited maximum photocatalytic activity with 98% and 96% degradation of MB and RhB dyes, respectively, in 6 and 35 min. The high photocatalytic activity of MnV2O6/BiVO4 may be due to the successful generation and shift of charges in the presence of visible light. The average reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was found to be 75% after irradiation with direct sunlight. In the degradation process of dyes, superoxide anion radicals were the main responsive species, as revealed by trapping experiments. The degradation efficiency of MnV2O6/BiVO4 heterojunction did not diminish even after four cycles. In addition, the catalytic performance of the fabricated heterojunction was also explored for reducing 4-nitrophenols (4-NP) by using NaBH4. Absolute conversion of 4-NP to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) occurred without the production of intermediate byproducts.

Automated summary

In this study, MnV2O6/BiVO4 heterojunction photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal technique and showed excellent performance in degrading dyes under sunlight irradiation, with the S-V hetero-junction sample exhibiting the highest photocatalytic activity. The high photocatalytic activity of MnV2O6/BiVO4 is attributed to the successful generation and shift of charges under visible light, with superoxide anion radicals identified as the main responsive species in the degradation process.