Photocatalytic properties of BiVO4 prepared by the co-precipitation method: Degradation of rhodamine B and possible reaction mechanisms under visible irradiation

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) was synthesized by the co-precipitation method at 200 °C. The photocatalytic activity of the oxide was tested for the photodegradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The analysis of the total organic carbon showed that the mineralization of rhodamine B over a BiVO4 photocatalyst (∼40% after 100 h of irradiation) is feasible. In the same way, a gas chromatography analysis coupled with mass spectroscopy revealed the existence of organic intermediates during the photodegradation process such as ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, and phthalic anhydride. The modification of variables such as dispersion pH, amount of dissolved O2, and irradiation source was studied in order to know the details about the photodegradation mechanism.