One-step MOF assisted synthesis of SmVO4 nanorods for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light

One-dimensional SmVO4 rods have been effectively prepared by a metal organic framework (MOF) assisted solvothermal method using 2-methyl imidazole as an organic linker. The rod-like SmVO4 was systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–visible DRS techniques. The tetragonal phase SmVO4 catalyst exhibits an outstanding photocatalytic efficiency with a removal rate of 95% towards the removal of tetracycline under visible light. The SmVO4 catalyst still shows an elevated photocatalytic removal rate even after three consecutive cycles of usage. This infers the incentive for stability and reusability of the SmVO4 catalyst prepared by the MOF route.