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Facile synthesis of Z-scheme Se/BiVO4 heterojunction with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance

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Abstract

The Z-scheme Se/BiVO4 photocatalysts were successfully prepared by chemical reduction and hydrothermal methods. Ethanol had the effect of solubilizing a-Se and insoluble t-Se during aging, which was critical for the rapid growth of t-Se rods. Compared with pure Se rods and BiVO4, the Z-scheme Se/BiVO4 exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity for rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under visible-light irradiation. The photoluminescence detection technology of terephthalic acid spectra shows that ·OH is the major active radical in the degradation of RhB by Se/BiVO4. Based on the transient photocurrent measurements and band structures, it can be concluded that the Z-scheme structure of Se/BiVO4 not only enhances the photogenerated electrons and holes migration rates but also to provide higher redox ability. With the enhanced photocatalytic performance, Se/BiVO4 can be potentially applied for the environmental remediation.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (21463002), the Thirteenth Five-year Key Disciplines of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Materials Science and Engineering),” and the Graduate Student Innovation Project of Changji University (2016YJSZD03).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Changji University, Beijing North Road 77#, Changji, 831100, China

    Kangdi Zhong, Hongbo Gao, Junwei Feng, Yamin Zhang & Kangrong Lai

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  1. Kangdi Zhong
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  2. Hongbo Gao
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  3. Junwei Feng
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Correspondence to Kangrong Lai.

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Zhong, K., Gao, H., Feng, J. et al. Facile synthesis of Z-scheme Se/BiVO4 heterojunction with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance. J Mater Sci 54, 10632–10643 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03634-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03634-1

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