Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of TmVO₄ Prepared by Hydrothermal Method

Abstract

Using thulium oxide, nitric acid, ammonium metavanadate and citric acid as main raw materials, TmVO₄ was successfully prepared by hydrothermal method. TmVO₄ samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetry differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Taking methyl orange solution as simulated sewage, the effects of synthesis temperature and illumination time on the photocatalytic activity of TmVO₄ were studied. The results show that pure tetragonal zircon TmVO₄ samples can be obtained under hydrothermal conditions of 120 °C to 180 °C. The sample prepared at 140°Chas uniform grain size, and the average grain size is about 50 nm. Under ultraviolet light illumination for 30 min, the degradation rate of 10 mg/L methyl orange can reach more than 77% in the presence of TmVO₄. The photocatalysis experiment indicated that TmVO₄ has good photocatalytic degradation activity for methyl orange.

Keywords:

• TmVO4
• hydrothermal method
• photocatalytic activity
• nano-material

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Huzhou Science and Technology Plan Project(2020GZ02), National Training Programs of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Undergraduates(202010347040) and South Taihu Education Leading Talents Project of Huzhou.