Elucidating Semiconducting Properties and Photocatalytic Performance of Surface-Decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Photocatalysis has been shown to be a promising and ecofriendly approach to the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). However, preventing the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and achievement of suitable band edge positions are still major challenges to ensuring better pe...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Marin Popović Suresh Kumar Pandey Josipa Papac Zjačić Vladimir Dananić Marijana Kraljić Roković Marin Kovačić Hrvoje Kušić Andraž Šuligoj Urška Lavrenčič Štangar Ana Lončarić Božić |
| author_facet | Marin Popović Suresh Kumar Pandey Josipa Papac Zjačić Vladimir Dananić Marijana Kraljić Roković Marin Kovačić Hrvoje Kušić Andraž Šuligoj Urška Lavrenčič Štangar Ana Lončarić Božić |
| author_sort | Marin Popović |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Photocatalysis has been shown to be a promising and ecofriendly approach to the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). However, preventing the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and achievement of suitable band edge positions are still major challenges to ensuring better performance. Herein, we report the preparation of surface-decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> with both a noble metal (Ag) and transition metal (Fe). The structural, morphological, and semiconducting features of the material were examined employing various techniques (XRD, SEM, UV-DRS, PL, and photoelectrochemical tests). The band gap of surface-modified BiVO<sub>4</sub> is slightly narrower compared to pristine material, which is further validated by HOMO-LUMO gaps obtained through theoretical modeling approaches. The recombination of photogenerated charges was successfully reduced in the case of Ag–Fe–BiVO<sub>4</sub>, as proven by lower PL intensity and increased current density. The comparative photocatalytic degradation of the CECs ciprofloxacin (CIP) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was conducted employing pristine BiVO<sub>4</sub> and its two surface-modified analogues (Ag–BiVO<sub>4</sub>, and Ag–Fe–BiVO<sub>4</sub>) under solar light. Ag–Fe–BiVO<sub>4</sub> was shown to be the most efficient; however, its effectiveness differed depending on CEC type. Under the same process conditions, degradation of CIP reached 93.9%, while PFOA was degraded only partially (22.9%). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aebdc74d1c0d4a65be92c377123e939f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-aebdc74d1c0d4a65be92c377123e939f2025-08-20T02:32:52ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013011245410.3390/molecules30112454Elucidating Semiconducting Properties and Photocatalytic Performance of Surface-Decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging ConcernMarin Popović0Suresh Kumar Pandey1Josipa Papac Zjačić2Vladimir Dananić3Marijana Kraljić Roković4Marin Kovačić5Hrvoje Kušić6Andraž Šuligoj7Urška Lavrenčič Štangar8Ana Lončarić Božić9Department for Safety and Protection Engineering, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Trg Josipa Juraja Strossmayera 9, HR-47000 Karlovac, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna Pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna Pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaPhotocatalysis has been shown to be a promising and ecofriendly approach to the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). However, preventing the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and achievement of suitable band edge positions are still major challenges to ensuring better performance. Herein, we report the preparation of surface-decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> with both a noble metal (Ag) and transition metal (Fe). The structural, morphological, and semiconducting features of the material were examined employing various techniques (XRD, SEM, UV-DRS, PL, and photoelectrochemical tests). The band gap of surface-modified BiVO<sub>4</sub> is slightly narrower compared to pristine material, which is further validated by HOMO-LUMO gaps obtained through theoretical modeling approaches. The recombination of photogenerated charges was successfully reduced in the case of Ag–Fe–BiVO<sub>4</sub>, as proven by lower PL intensity and increased current density. The comparative photocatalytic degradation of the CECs ciprofloxacin (CIP) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was conducted employing pristine BiVO<sub>4</sub> and its two surface-modified analogues (Ag–BiVO<sub>4</sub>, and Ag–Fe–BiVO<sub>4</sub>) under solar light. Ag–Fe–BiVO<sub>4</sub> was shown to be the most efficient; however, its effectiveness differed depending on CEC type. Under the same process conditions, degradation of CIP reached 93.9%, while PFOA was degraded only partially (22.9%).https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2454BiVO<sub>4</sub>surface decorationsemiconducting propertiessolar photocatalysiscontaminants of emerging concern |
| spellingShingle | Marin Popović Suresh Kumar Pandey Josipa Papac Zjačić Vladimir Dananić Marijana Kraljić Roković Marin Kovačić Hrvoje Kušić Andraž Šuligoj Urška Lavrenčič Štangar Ana Lončarić Božić Elucidating Semiconducting Properties and Photocatalytic Performance of Surface-Decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern Molecules BiVO<sub>4</sub> surface decoration semiconducting properties solar photocatalysis contaminants of emerging concern |
| title | Elucidating Semiconducting Properties and Photocatalytic Performance of Surface-Decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_full | Elucidating Semiconducting Properties and Photocatalytic Performance of Surface-Decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_fullStr | Elucidating Semiconducting Properties and Photocatalytic Performance of Surface-Decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_full_unstemmed | Elucidating Semiconducting Properties and Photocatalytic Performance of Surface-Decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_short | Elucidating Semiconducting Properties and Photocatalytic Performance of Surface-Decorated BiVO<sub>4</sub> for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_sort | elucidating semiconducting properties and photocatalytic performance of surface decorated bivo sub 4 sub for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern |
| topic | BiVO<sub>4</sub> surface decoration semiconducting properties solar photocatalysis contaminants of emerging concern |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2454 |
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