Synthesis of four-angle star-like CoAl-MMO/BiVO4 p–n heterojunction and its application in photocatalytic desulfurization

Abstract

A four-angle star-like Co–Al mixed metal oxide (CoAl-MMO)/BiVO₄ heterojunction has been synthesized via a hydrothermal method and following sintering. The CoAl-MMO/BiVO₄ is derived from CoAl-LDHs/BiVO₄, in which CoAl-LDHs leads to a distribution of amorphous CoAl-MMO. The CoAl-MMO loading on BiVO₄ greatly enhances visible light absorption, improves charge separation by band offset charge transfer, and makes flat band potential more negative. The three effects together result in excellent photocatalytic activity. Under visible light irradiation, desulfurization efficiency of thiophene has achieved up to 98.58% on CoAl-MMO/BiVO₄ with molar ratio of 0.3 : 5.