Structural, photophysical and photocatalytic properties of novel Bi2AlVO7

Abstract Bi 2 AlVO 7 was prepared by solid-state reaction technique for the first time and the structural and photocatalytic properties of Bi 2 AlVO 7 and Bi 2 InTaO 7 were investigated. The results showed that Bi 2 AlVO 7 crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system with space group I 4/ mmm . In addition, the band gaps of Bi 2 AlVO 7 and Bi 2 InTaO 7 were estimated to be about 2.06 and 2.81 eV. The photocatalytic degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye with Bi 2 AlVO 7 or Bi 2 InTaO 7 as catalyst was investigated under visible light irradiation. Bi 2 AlVO 7 showed higher photocatalytic activity compared with Bi 2 InTaO 7 for photocatalytic degradation of MB under visible light irradiation. Complete removal of aqueous MB dye was realized after visible light irradiation for 160 min with Bi 2 AlVO 7 as the photocatalyst. The reduction of the total organic carbon (TOC) and the formation of inorganic products, SO 4 2− and NO 3 − revealed the continuous mineralization of aqueous MB dye during the photocatalytic process. The possible photocatalytic degradation pathway of aqueous MB dye was revealed under visible light irradiation.