Surface decorated V2O5 nanorods with Pt nanoparticles for enriched visible light photocatalytic performance for the photodegradation of Rh-6G

Hetero-structured nanorods of Pt-vanadium pentoxide (Pt-V2O5) were prepared using hydrothermal method. The Pt nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated on the V2O5 nanorods, and the concentration of Pt for decoration varied from 1 to 10 wt%. Their structure, microstructure, elemental, and optical properties were studied using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, respectively. The microstructure studies showed the decorated Pt NPs on the V2O5 surface. Photocatalytic activity of the Pt-V2O5 nanorods was studied by degrading the Rh-6G dye under visible light irradiation, and their photocatalytic performance was enhanced compared to the pure V2O5 nanorods. The Pt NPs assisted in increasing the light response of the photocatalyst in the visible region and thus improved the photocatalytic activity. Of all the number densities of Pt NPs used to decorate the V2O5 nanorods, the 1 wt% Pt showed the best degradation of the Rh-6G dye at a maximum of 94% with the reaction rate constant k of 0.754 h(-1). This degradation was about 2.5 times better than that of pure V2O5. The mechanism for enhanced activity was analyzed and reactive species, such as holes (h(+)) and electrons (e(-)), actively participated in the photocatalytic degradation of the dye. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.