Cube-like Cu/Cu2O/BiVO4/Bi7VO13 composite nanoparticles: Facile sol-gel synthesis for photocatalytic desulfurization of thiophene under visible light

In this paper, for the photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of the oil derivatives under visible light, composite nanostructures of copper oxides and bismuth vanadate were prepared using Pechini sol gel method. Parameters affecting the size and morphology of nanostructures such as type of chelating and gelling agents, and molar ratio of copper salts to other metals were also investigated. The results of the analyzes showed that using ethylenediamine as a gelling agent, tannic acid as a chelating agent, and a 1:1:1 ratio for Cu:Bi:V, Cu/Cu2O/BiVO4/Bi7VO13 resulted in production of composite nanoparticles with rectangular cube morphology, which exhibit the highest efficiency (92% after 150 min) in the photocatalytic oxidation of thiophene. Experiments on the trapping of active radical species as well as the recyclability of the catalyst were also conducted and the O-2(-) and h(+) were found to be active species and the catalyst showed remarkable stability. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.