Synthesis of Transition Metal (Co(^{+2}), Ni(^{+2}), Cu(^{+2})) Impregnated BiVO(_4) Photocatalys for Methylene Blue Degradation Irsya Nursyifa (a), Annisa Aulia Rahmah (a), Fainan Failamani (a), Bambang Prijamboedi (a*)
a) Inorganic and Physical Chemistry Research Divison, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bandung Institute of Technology
Jalan Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
*prijamboedi[at]itb.ac.id
Abstract
Visible light driven photocatalysts have gathered enormous interest in recent years because of their capability to harness solar energy for chemical reaction. Bismuth Vanadate (BiVO(_4)) is a potential photocatalyst for various application since it has energy gap in the range of visible light. However, BiVO(_4) has high electron-hole recombination rate, poor charge transfer, thus it reduces the oxidation reaction kinetics. In this study, surface modification of BiVO(_4) by impregnation of Co(^{+2}), Ni(^{+2}) and Cu(^{+2}) ions were carried out to create charge carrier trap on the surface to reduce electon-hole recombination rate. BiVO(_4) photocatalysts were synthesized by hydrotermal method followed by impregnation with transition metal ions. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that all samples are in single phase monoclinic scheelite structure. Further analysis reveals the increasing of crystallite size while lattice parameters are not affected by impregnation. The UV-Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-DRS) characterization showed bandgap of 2,4 eV and it is also not affected by impregnation. Photoluminescence spectra do not show any additional peak with the impregnation. The effect of impregnation on photocatalytic performance was evaluated on the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visble-light irradiation.
Keywords: BiVO(_4), photocatalyst, surface modification, impregnation, methylene blue
