Fabrication of RGO modified BiVO₄-TiO₂ as a highly dispersed photocatalyst for oil denitrification

Abstract

Heterojunction photocatalysts have important applications in many fields due to their enhancement of photogenic carrier transfer and broadening of light response range, however, most of them were prone to agglomeration that resulting in reduced efficiency. Therefore, we modified BiVO₄-TiO₂ heterogeneous photocatalyst by RGO in the hope to improve their dispersion. Since the RGO has a large specific surface area and has many functional groups, it can be combined with BiVO₄-TiO₂, which not only provides electron transfer channels, enhances electron-hole pair separation power, reduces the loss of composite, but also reduces the interface energy, improves the dispersion of the catalyst in the oil and increases the contact area with the nitride to promote the denitrification rate. In this paper, the physicochemical properties, dispersibility and denitrification performance of photocatalyst were systematically explored. This study may provide a simple and green method for deep processing, safe storage and transportation of oil products.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Heterojunction
• RGO
• dispersion
• photocatalytic
• oil denitrification

Additional information

Funding

We are grateful for the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 51146008).