Enhanced visible-light catalytic activity of Au nanoparticles loaded c-axis oriented Bi2VO5.5 porous thin films

Au nanoparticles loaded c-axis oriented Bi2VO5.5 (BVO) porous thin films were prepared by using a simple spin-coating technique. The porous structures were formed through the hydrolysis of bismuth nitrate, Bi(NO3)3, one of the raw materials for synthesizing the BVO precursor solutions. The optimal photocatalytic rate of the porous thin film is three times more than that of pure BVO thin film. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the Schottky barrier in the intimate interface between Au nanoparticles and BVO grains and the increase of absorption of light caused by surface plasmon resonance effect of gold nanoparticles. The possible degradation mechanism of Au-BVO-Methylene Blue system has been discussed based on the energy band structure and further trapping experiments. This study provides a simple method to prepare bismuth-containing oxide porous thin films without any pore-forming reagents, and the results suggest that the Au nanoparticles loaded BVO thin film is a promising candidate material for water or air treatment.