Ag nanoparticles deposited on oxygen-vacancy-containing BiVO 4 for enhanced near-infrared photocatalytic activity

This study investigates the photodegradation of the organic dye rhodamine B by Ag-nanoparticle-containing BiVO4 catalysts under different irradiation conditions. The catalysts consist of Ag nanoparticles deposited on oxygen-vacancy-containing BiVO4. The morphology of the BiVO4 is olive shaped, and it has a uniform size distribution. The BiVO4 possesses a high oxygen vacancy density, and the resulting Ag nanoparticle-BiVO4 catalyst exhibits higher photocatalytic activity than BiVO4. The RhB degradation by the Ag nanoparticle-BiVO4 catalyst is 99% after 100 min of simulated solar irradiation. BiVO4 containing oxygen vacancies as a rationally designed support extends the catalyst response into the near-infrared region, and facilitates the trapping and transfer of plasmonic hot electrons. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency is attributed to charge transfer from the BiVO4 to Ag nanoparticles, and surface plasmon resonance of the Ag nanoparticles. These insights into electron-hole separation and charge transfer may arouse interest in solar-driven wastewater treatment and water splitting.