Novel Ag/YVO4 nanoparticles prepared by a hydrothermal method for photocatalytic degradation of methylene-blue dye

A hydrothermal method was used to prepare YVO4 nanoparticles, and a photo-assisted deposition method was used to load Ag onto the YVO4. The photocatalytic performances of the prepared photocatalysts were tested by the degradation of methylene-blue dye using visible-light irradiation. The results indicate that the Ag is well-dispersed within the YVO4, and the surface area of the Ag/YVO4 is smaller than that of the YVO4 samples. The sample with 0.3 wt% Ag/YVO4 has the highest activity for the removal of methylene-blue dye. The 0.3 wt% Ag/YVO4 can be used five times without the loss of its photocatalytic activity.