PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF BISMUTH VANADATE FOR THE DEGRADATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

We synthesized the nanoparticles of Bi4V2O11 with particle size less than 30nm by combustion method and they were found to be in monoclinic phase (i.e., alpha-phase), confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Raman and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy. Morphology of the alpha-Bi4V2O11 was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Photocatalytic activity of alpha-Bi4V2O11 in degradation of common organic dyes, such as, Rhodamine B (Rh B) and Methylene Blue (MB) was investigated under UV irradiation. Furthermore, gamma-Bi4V2O11 was obtained by post annealing treatment of alpha-Bi4V2O11 to investigate the phase transition and size dependent er effects on photocatalytic activity. alpha-Bi4V2O11 has shown better photocatalytic activity compared to gamma-Bi4V2O11 which is attributed to its smaller particle size enhancing its surface to volume ratio and being in a different phase. BET measurement is also performed in order to observe the erect of surface area on photocatalytic activity. Complete removal of aqueous Rh B dye was realized after UV light irradiation for 45 min with alpha-Bi4V2O11 as the photocatalyst.