Novel and stable Fe-BiVO4 nanocatalyst by efficient dual process in the ciprofloxacin degradation

Novel Fe-impregnated BiVO4 was synthetized by a sonochemistry method, then the Fe-impregnation was prepared through an easy and low-cost method by the directly hydrolyzes iron salt onto BiVO4 nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer analysis indicated the presence of Fe on the impregnated BiVO4. Half-time of Fe-BiVO4 (1%) sample was 10 times greater than BiVO4 pure in the ciprofloxacin degradation by a dual effect process under UV-Vis light irradiation. The dual process synergy was achieved by 55% with respect to photocatalysis, being the predominant process in the degradation by the holes photogenerated corroborating the oxidizing species scavenger's experiments. Novel Fe-BiVO4 samples can degrade the ciprofloxacin by the dual effect process (photocatalysis and photo-Fenton), which inhibited the electron-hole pairs recombination. 1Fe-BiVO4 photocatalyst was stable and active after six cycles without presence of photocorrosion. This catalyst may offer a sustainable treatment to decontaminate wastewater.