Fabrication of Ag particles deposited BiVO4 photoanode for significantly efficient visible-light driven photoelectrocatalytic degradation of β-naphthol

Herein, we successfully fabricated the Ag deposited BiVO 4 (ABVO) electrode via the combination of electrodeposition and photodeposition for efficient photoelectrocatalytic degradation of β-naphthol under visible-light illumination (λ > 420 nm). The photocurrent density of ABVO photoanode was around 1.6 times higher than that of BiVO 4 (BVO) under visible-light irradiation at 1.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which was ascribed to the reduced recombination rate of photoinduced electron-hole pairs, as confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott-Schottky plots. Additionally, the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation rate of β-naphthol (10 mg L −1 , 300 mL) by ABVO could approximately reach 80%, whose corresponding kinetic constant was 1.56 times higher than BVO. Based on the radical quenching experiments and EPR results, the •OH and •O 2 - radicals played crucial roles in PEC degradation of β-naphthol. The enhanced PEC performance of ABVO can be ascribed to the synergy of photocatalysis , electrocatalysis and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of deposited Ag particles, which can effectively suppress the recombination of photoinduced electron-hole pairs, thereby prolonging the photo-excited charges lifespans and promoting the PEC performance. Furthermore, the ABVO photoanode possesses excellent recyclability , outstanding stability and strong resistance to acid and alkali, which can be a promising candidate for PEC organic contaminants degradation.