Journal of Water and Wastewater; Ab va Fazilab (in persian)

Journal of Water and Wastewater; Ab va Fazilab (in persian)

Effect of Synthesis pH on the Morphology and Photocatalytic Performance of BiVO₄/g-C₃N₄ for Acid Blue 92 Degradation

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Mohammaderfan Agahalam 1
Tayebeh Hamzehlouyan 2
Shahnaz Ghasemi 3
1 M.Sc. Student, Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 Assist. Prof., Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
3 Assist. Prof., Sharif Energy, Water and Environment Institute, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.22093/wwj.2025.540493.3507
Abstract
Textile dyes and heavy metals cannot be completely removed from wastewater using traditional wastewater treatment methods. Meanwhile, advanced oxidation processes produce active radicals that facilitate the decomposition of these compounds. Among these, semiconductor photocatalysts offer high removal efficiency and chemical stability. In this study, BiVO4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites were synthesized hydrothermally under acidic, neutral, and basic pH conditions; the prepared samples were then characterized, and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated. The XRD results showed that all three samples formed the monoclinic phase of BiVO4. The FESEM images revealed the effect of pH on particle morphology, showing cubic, polygonal, and three-dimensional trapezoidal structures with a uniform distribution in the basic environment. The sample synthesized at pH=10 has the highest efficiency (approximately 75% in 120 minutes) when decomposing the Acid Blue 92 dye under visible light irradiation, in the presence of 200 ppm of the photocatalyst and 20 ppm of the pollutant. In addition, DRS and PL spectra indicate a decrease in electron-hole recombination in the composite sample versus pure photocatalysts. A three-dimensional structure, a high specific surface area, and a more efficient charge carrier transport are among the reasons for the enhanced photocatalytic performance of BiVO4/g-C3N4 in the basic medium.
Keywords
Graphite Carbon Nitride/Bismuth Vanadate Composite Photocatalyst
Acidity of Synthesis Medium
Acid Blue 92
Photocatalyst Morphology
Visible-Light-Active Semiconductor
Wastewater Treatment
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Journal of Water and Wastewater; Ab va Fazilab (in persian)
Volume 36, Issue 2 - Serial Number 157
July and August 2026
Pages 63-81