Characterization of Black-Light-Driven CeVO 4 Photocatalysts Synthesized by Sol-Gel Method Using Citric Acid as Complexing Agent with Subsequent High Temperature Calcination

CeVO 4 as black-light-driven photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by a sol-gel method using citric acid as a complexing agent with subsequent 450–600°C calcination for 2 h. The as-synthesized products were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The TGA analysis shows three-step weight losses caused by evaporation and decomposition of adsorbed water, organic compound, citric complex and phase transformation. X-ray diffraction and SEM results show that the samples were specified as tetragonal CeVO 4 structure with particle sizes of 50–60 nm, 100–200 nm, 600–1000 nm and 800–1500 nm for 450, 500, 550, and 600°C calcination, respectively. In this research, CeVO 4 nanoparticles with 450°C calcination showed the highest photocatalytic activity with • OH radical as the main active species involved in photodegradation of MB under black light irradiation.