Mechanochemical Synthesis of Bi2VO5.5 for Improved Photocatalytic Dye Degradation

Abstract

A single-phase Bi2VO5.5 powder is formed effectively through a mechanochemical ball milling approach at 650 °C in 5 h and its photocatalytic performance on methylene blue dye is explored. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analytical instruments are utilized to confirm the phase formation. The evident presence of irregular-shaped grains is affirmed using a scanning electron microscope. To ascertain the chemical condition of the components present, the Bi2VO5.5 powdered sample undergo an X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation. The sample is analyzed using a time-dependent photocurrent to discern its charge carrier transportation behavior. A photocatalytic study using Bi2VO5.5 powder produced through the mechanochemical ball milling method has not been explored till now. The efficacy of the ball-milled Bi2VO5.5 powder to attain enhanced photocatalytic efficiency which hasn't been investigated till now, is explored. The ball-milled Bi2VO5.5 sample achieved 70% degradation efficiency when performing the photocatalysis investigation. The photocatalytic dye degradation discerns pseudo-first-order kinetics and achieves a notable k value of 0.00636 min−1. The scavenger test indicates that h+ radicals are the prominent active species during the photocatalysis experiment. The germination index is determined by conducting a phytotoxicity test with the use of Vigna radiata seeds. Here ball-milled Bi2VO5.5 powder attains enhanced dye degradation efficiency.