Enhanced photocatalytic performance of mesoporous TiO2 by incorporating Ag3VO4 nanoparticles for degradation of tetracycline under visible light

A novel mesoporous Ag3VO4/TiO2 nanocomposites were constructed by a low-cost sol-gel approach using Pluronic P-65. The photocatalytic abilities of obtained Ag3VO4/TiO2 nanocomposites were performed by the tetracycline degradation under visible illumination compared with pure TiO2 and P-25 photocatalysts. The Ag3VO4/TiO2 photocatalyst demonstrated superior visible light-induced photocatalytic abilities in tetracycline degradation compared with P-25 and pure TiO2. When the Ag3VO4 content in nanocomposites was 3%, it exhibited the maximum photocatalytic abilities among all synthesized nanocomposites. The tetracycline could be entirely degraded (100%) over Ag3VO4/TiO2 photocatalyst under visible illumination within 90 min. The rate constant of 3% Ag3VO4/TiO2 nanocomposite for the degradation of tetracycline was 10.99 and 31 times that of pure TiO2 and P-25. The increment photocatalytic ability was referred to as the separation efficiency of interface charge and the synergistic effects between Ag3VO4 and TiO2. The construction of Ag3VO4/TiO2 nanocomposite enlarged the absorption of visible light with red-shift to a longer wavelength in the visible region. The surface area of Ag3VO4/TiO2 nanocomposites (188 m(2)g(-1)) was beneficial for photodegradation efficiency. The present work highlights advantageous insight into fabricating highly effective visible light photocatalysts in practical applications.

Automated summary

A novel mesoporous Ag3VO4/TiO2 nanocomposites were constructed using a low-cost sol-gel approach, showing superior visible light-induced photocatalytic abilities in tetracycline degradation compared to pure TiO2 and P-25 photocatalysts. The 3% Ag3VO4/TiO2 nanocomposite exhibited the highest photocatalytic ability among all synthesized nanocomposites, completely degrading tetracycline under visible illumination within 90 min. The increased photocatalytic ability was attributed to the efficient separation of interface charge and the synergistic effects between Ag3VO4 and TiO2. This study provides valuable insights for the development of highly effective visible light photocatalysts in practical applications.