Substrate Temperature Induced (020) Growth Facets of Nebulizer Sprayed BiVO₄ Thin Films for Effective Photodegradation of Rhodamine B

Abstract

The high-efficient and visible-light active monoclinic BiVO 4 thin films with preferentially oriented (020) facets are successfully deposited by nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique. The role of substrate temperature over crystal growth facets and other physical properties of BiVO 4 films are analyzed using XRD, HRTEM, UV spectrometer, and Raman analysis. The BiVO 4 thin film deposited at 350°C possesses broad absorbance in the visible region with highly exposed (020) facet is obtained. Room temperature photoluminescence analysis is used to understand the effective charge separation of photogenerated electron-hole pair in BiVO 4 thin films. It is worth to mention that the obtained monoclinic scheelite BiVO 4 film with preferentially oriented (020) facet has large surface areas to produce greater number of reactive hydroxyl radicals, for the effective photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye. Total organic content (TOC) study is conducted to examine the mineralization of organic compounds present in rhodamine B dye.

Facet-Engineered Surface and Interface Design of Monoclinic Scheelite Bismuth Vanadate for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

“…Hence, the efficient adsorption of reactant molecules on the surface facilitates the enhancement of photocatalytic activity. For instance, Ravidhas et al reported the highly oriented {040} facet had a relatively high specific surface area and a larger atom density to adsorb more dye molecules on the surface of m BiVO 4 , resulting in an enhanced photocatalytic performance for RhB degradation . Thalluri et al reported that the highly exposed {040} facet increased the O–H species that directly participated in the adsorption of ethylene on the surface of m BiVO 4 catalyst as well as the generation of hydroxyl radicals, thereby significantly improving the photocatalytic performance …”

“…For instance, Ravidhas et al reported the highly oriented {040} facet had a relatively high specific surface area and a larger atom density to adsorb more dye molecules on the surface of mBiVO 4 , resulting in an enhanced photocatalytic performance for RhB degradation. 97 Thalluri et al reported that the highly exposed {040} facet increased the O−H species that directly participated in the adsorption of ethylene on the surface of mBiVO 4 catalyst as well as the generation of hydroxyl radicals, thereby significantly improving the photocatalytic performance. 76 In addition to the difference in molecular adsorption associated with surface facets, the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers is also related to the physicochemical properties and surface states of the faceted semiconductors, which is another factor that can affect the photocatalytic activity.…”

Jet nebulizer-spray coated CZTS film as Pt-free electrocatalyst in photoelectrocatalytic fuel cells

“…[32] In this context, modified spray coater with jet-nebulizer nozzle will overcome the particle clogging issue at nozzle. Unlike conventional spray coating nozzle, the nebulizer will form cloud type aerosol facilitate uniform coating on the substrate [33][34][35][36]. This may anticipate to produce homogenous and highly reactive CZTS catalyst film.…”