Photocatalytic Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol using BiVO 4 Powder Prepared by the Sol–gel Method

Abstract

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4) powder was prepared by the sol-gel method using bismuth nitrate and ammonium vanadate as the starting precursors with mole ratio of 1:1 in ethanol media at 70ºC for 1h and calcined at 400-600°C for 2h. The phase structure of BiVO 4 powder was characterized by X-ray diffractrometer (XRD). Single phase monoclinic of BiVO 4 powder was obtained. The morphology of BiVO 4 powder was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). BiVO 4 powder was irregular in shape with the particles' size range of 100-300 nm. The functional groups of BiVO 4 powder was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR). The symmetric and asymmetric stretching of VO 4 3-was showed at 826-829 and 737-741 cm-1 , respectively. The surface area of BiVO 4 powder was determined by surface area analyzer (BET) and shown in the range of 2.20-2.75 m 2 g-1. The photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol was investigated by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). The percentage of degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol using BiVO 4 powder after calcination at 500°C for 2h was 55.42%.