Elucidating semiconducting properties and photocatalytic performance of surface-decorated ▫$BiVO_4$▫ for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern

Popović, Marin (author), Pandey, Suresh Kumar (author), Papac Zjačić, Josipa (author), Dananić, Vladimir (author), Kraljić Roković, Marijana (author), Kovačić, Marin (author), Kušić, Hrvoje (author), Šuligoj, Andraž (author), Lavrenčič Štangar, Urška (author), Lončarić Božić, Ana (author)

Photocatalysis has been shown to be a promising and ecofriendly approach to the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). However, preventing the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and achievement of suitable band edge positions are still major challenges to ensuring better performance. Herein, we report the preparation of surface-decorated BiVO$_4$ with both a noble metal (Ag) and transition metal (Fe). The structural, morphological, and semiconducting features of the material were examined employing various techniques (XRD, SEM, UV-DRS, PL, and photoelectrochemical tests). The band gap of surface-modified BiVO$_4$ is slightly narrower compared to pristine material, which is further validated by HOMO-LUMO gaps obtained through theoretical modeling approaches. The recombination of photogenerated charges was successfully reduced in the case of Ag–Fe–BiVO$_4$, as proven by lower PL intensity and increased current density. The comparative photocatalytic degradation of the CECs ciprofloxacin (CIP) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was conducted employing pristine BiVO$_4$ and its two surface-modified analogues (Ag–BiVO$_4$, and Ag–Fe–BiVO$_4$) under solar light. Ag–Fe–BiVO$_4$ was shown to be the most efficient; however, its effectiveness differed depending on CEC type. Under the same process conditions, degradation of CIP reached 93.9%, while PFOA was degraded only partially (22.9%).

• Language: English
• Keywords: bismuth vanadate, suface decoration, semiconducting properties, solar photocatalysis, contaminants of emerging concern
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 18 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 30, iss. 11, art. 2454
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-172572
• UDC: 544.526.5:661.718.33
• ISSN on article: 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules30112454
• COBISS.SI-ID: 247020035
• Publication date in RUL: 09.09.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Molecules
• Shortened title: Molecules
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1420-3049
• COBISS.SI-ID: 18462981

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: bizmutov vanadat, modifikacija površine, lastnosti polprevodnikov, sončna fotokataliza, onesnaževala, ki povzročajo zaskrbljenost