Preparation and Characterization of Novel Visible Light Sensitive Pt/BiVO_4 Photocatalysts

Novel Pt/BiVO_4 photocatalysts were prepared by impregnation method using Bi(NO_3)3, NH_4VO_3 and H_2PtCl_6 as starting materials.The obtained samples were characterized by XRD,SEM, XPS and DRS.The XRD patterns indicate that the Pt/BiVO_4 photocatalysts consist of monoclinic phase.The DRS measurements show that the visible light absorption of the composite samples is greatly increased,and the absorption edge shifts to red light region.The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange under visible light irradiation (λ400nm).The photocatalytic activity of the Pt/BiVO_4 composite sample is significautly enhanced,which is probably due to the photo- sensitivity of PtCl_4 particles.