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Synthesis of visible light active copper, iron co-doped BiVO4 photocatalyst for the degradation of phenol

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Abstract

In the current research, BiVO4 samples of co-doped copper and iron (Cu/Fe–BiVO4) were synthesized using the gel combustion technique. The synthesized preparations for the degradation of phenol with visible light radiation were used as a photocatalyst. Synthesized samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In order to determined the particle size XRD and TEM plays an important role which was calculated in the range of 22–30 nm. Morphology of the samples were revealed by SEM. A comparison of the kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of phenol by Cu/Fe–BiVO4 was performed under visible light. The XRD patterns show the various phases of the synthesized samples. The Cu/Fe–BiVO4 sample has higher photocatalytic activity as compared to parent BiVO4. For phenol degradation under visible light radiation, the degradation mechanism was suggested.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Chairperson, Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh, for providing requisite research facilities. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to CSIR for SRF fellowship File No. 09/112(0612)2K19 EMR-1.

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  1. Solid–State Chemistry Lab, Physical Chemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India

    Faria K. Naqvi, Saba Beg & Kaseed Anwar

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  1. Faria K. Naqvi
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  2. Saba Beg
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  3. Kaseed Anwar
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Correspondence to Saba Beg.

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Naqvi, F.K., Beg, S. & Anwar, K. Synthesis of visible light active copper, iron co-doped BiVO4 photocatalyst for the degradation of phenol. Reac Kinet Mech Cat 131, 409–422 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11144-020-01863-z

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