Abstract
We present a simple synthesis of BiVO4 nanospheres co-doped with Pt and In2O3 by a hydrothermal approach. The obtained samples exhibited monoclinic phase with homogeneously dispersed Pt and In2O3 on BiVO4 dopants as indicated by XRD, TEM, and XPS, respectively. The Pt–In2O3/BiVO4 photocatalyst exhibited highest surface area, lowest band gap, and much less charge recombination compared to pure, Pt or In2O3-doped BiVO4. The 1.2 gL–1 dose of Pt–In2O3/BiVO4 displayed a complete photodegradation of malachite green as an industrial model dye within 40 min with great reusability. A proposed mechanism is suggested based on the presented results.
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•Pt and In2O3 co-doped BiVO4 nanospheres synthesized by simple hydrothermal route.•Structure, surface texture, band gap, and charge separation improved by co-doping.•Pt–In2O3/BiVO4 showed 100% degradation of MG dye after 40 min under visible light.•Pt–In2O3/BiVO4 photocatalyst can be reused keeping same performance.