Triton X-100 induced cuboid-like BiVO4 microsphere with high photocatalytic performance

A highly active visible light-induced BiVO₄ photocatalyst was prepared by a simple co-precipitation method using ammonia solution as a pH adjustor and Triton X-100 (TX100) as a structure directing agent. The physical properties of the prepared BiVO₄ photocatalyst were investigated by several techniques such as X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis (EDS), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), photoluminescence (PL), and UV–Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). XRD results revealed the existence of a monoclinic scheelite structure in both the unmodified and the modified samples. The TX100 played a crucial role to control the cuboid-like shape morphology of BiVO₄. The DRS results showed that the as-prepared cuboid BiVO₄ possessed enhanced visible light absorption range compared with that of the unmodified BiVO₄. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated via indigo carmine (IC) degradation under visible light irradiation. The modified BiVO₄ showed higher photocatalytic efficiency than the unmodified BiVO₄ and the commercial P25-TiO₂ which could be ascribed to the better charge separation efficiency.     

Measuring technical efficiency associated with environmental investment: does market competition and risk matters in banking sector

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper investigates the impact of several comprehensive risks such as credit risk, capital risk, liquidity risk, and insolvency risks on Pakistani...     

Does educated labor force is managing the green economy in BRCS? Fresh evidence from NARDL-PMG approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - It is observed that an educated labor force can increase the absorption capacity of the economy and improve the effectiveness of green technologies...