EDTA-2Na assisted facile synthesis of monoclinic bismuth vanadate (m-BiVO4) and m-BiVO4/rGO as a highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst

An efficient facile synthesis method for BiVO4/reduced graphene oxide (BiVO4/rGO) photocatalyst by a one-pot hydrothermal process was first developed. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-2Na) rather than nitrate was used to provide an acidic environment to prevent the hydrolysis of Bi3+, which could improve the safety of the process. The photocatalytic activities could be remarkably enhanced by loading BiVO4 on rGO. The degradation efficiency for Rhodamine B (rhB) could reach 98.3% in 180 min. This work offered an ideal method for stable, efficient, and recyclable photocatalysts suitable for the visible light range.

Automated summary

An efficient and facile method for synthesizing BiVO4/reduced graphene oxide (BiVO4/rGO) photocatalyst via a one-pot hydrothermal process was developed. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-2Na) was used instead of nitrate to provide an acidic environment, preventing the hydrolysis of Bi3+ and increasing the safety of the process. Loading BiVO4 on rGO significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activities, with a degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B (rhB) reaching 98.3% in 180 minutes. This work provided an ideal method for stable, efficient, and recyclable photocatalysts suitable for the visible light range.