Synthesis of Zn 3 (VO 4 ) 2 /BiVO 4 heterojunction composite for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue organic dye and electrochemical detection of H 2 O 2 .

In this study, a Zn 3 (VO 4 ) 2 /BiVO 4 heterojunction nanocomposite photocatalyst was prepared using a hydrothermal route with different molar concentration ratios. The as-synthesized nanophotocatalyst was characterized using XRD, SEM, EDS, XPS, FT-IR, Raman, BET, UV-vis DRS, EPR and PL. The effect of molar ratio on composition and morphology was studied. The as-prepared nanocomposite exhibited excellent photocatalytic response by completely degrading the model pollutant methylene blue (MB) dye in 60 min at molar concentration ratio of 2 : 1. In basic medium at pH 12, the Zn 3 (VO 4 ) 2 /BiVO 4 nanocomposite degrades MB completely within 45 min. The nanocomposite was also successfully used for the electrochemical detection of an important analyte hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). This study opens up a new horizon for the potential applications of Zn 3 (VO 4 ) 2 /BiVO 4 nanocomposite in environmental wastewater remediation as well as biosensing sciences.