Structural characterization and photocatalytic properties of novel Bi₂FeVO₇

Bi2FeVO7 was prepared by a solid-state reaction technique for the first time and the structural and photocatalytic properties of Bi2FeVO7 were studied. The results shows that this compound crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system with space group I4/mmm. Moreover, the band gap of Bi2FeVO7 was estimated to be about 2.22(6) eV. For the photocatalytic water splitting reaction, H-2 or O-2 evolution was observed from pure water with Bi2FeVO7 as the photocatalyst by ultraviolet light irradiation. Degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye by photocatalytic way over this compound was further studied under visible light irradiation. Bi2FeVO7 shows higher catalytic activity compared to TiO2 (P-25) for MB photocatalytic degradation under visible light irradiation. Complete removal of aqueous MB was realized after visible light irradiation for 170 min with Bi2FeVO7 as the photocatalyst. The reduction of the total organic carbon (TOC) and the formation of inorganic products, SO42- and NO3- revealed the continuous mineralization of aqueous MB during the photocatalytic course.