Visible-light-driven ZnFe2O4/Ag/Ag3VO4 photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

A novel visible-light driven ZnFe2O4/AglAg(3)VO(4) photocatalyst was successfully fabricated through a two-step hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology arid composition of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS). The as-prepared ZnFe2O4/Ag/Ag3VO4 composites possessed an excellent performance in the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange and tetracycline under visible-light irradiation. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated that the ZnFe2O4/Ag/Ag3VO4 composite could facilitate the separation of photo-generated carriers, as well as accelerated charge transfer. The 5% ZnFe2O4/Ag/Ag3VO4 composite exhibited the upmost photocatalytic activity, the degradation constant of 5% ZnFe2O4/Ag/Ag3VO4 is as high as 1.49 times to that of Ag/Ag3VO4. Also, according to the trapping experiments, it's found that the superoxide radicals (.O-2) and hole (if) were the predominant reactive species in this system. The ZnFe2O4/Ag/Ag3VO4 photocatalyst is promising for designing as an environmental purification material in treatment of antibiotic pollutant. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.