Z-scheme interface modification by MnV2O6 for V2O5/g-C3N4 heterostructure towards efficient visible photocatalytic activity

• The interface of V 2 O 5 /g-C 3 N 4 is modified by MnV 2 O 6 nanoparticles. • The type II heterostructure for MnV 2 O 6 /V 2 O 5 , benefit the direct solid Z-scheme V 2 O 5 /g-C 3 N 4 photocatalysts. • The visible response is further extended and the charge carriers are separated efficiently. Developing highly active and low cost photocatalyst is of great importance for solar energy conversion and pollutant degradation. In this work, we reported a simple synthesis of MnV 2 O 6 interface modified V 2 O 5 /g-C 3 N 4 direct solid Z-scheme heterostructure for the first time. Without the addition of any noble elements, the MnV 2 O 6 modified V 2 O 5 /g-C 3 N 4 Z-scheme heterostructure exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible irradiation (λ > 420 nm). The superior visible photocatalytic activity is owing to the introduction of MnV 2 O 6 at the interface, which would further promote the separation of charge carriers in Z-scheme pathway and extend the visible response for the V 2 O 5 /g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure. This work may provide new physical insight for fabricating high-performance Z-scheme heterostructure photocatalysts with low cost and highly active performance.