In situ formation of BiVO4/MoS2 heterojunction: Enhanced photogenerated carrier transfer rate through electron transport channels constructed by graphene oxide.

• BiVO 4 /MoS 2 @GO (MBG) is prepared by an in-situ hydrothermal method. • The optimal working conditions are determined by orthogonal analysis. • The heterojunction formed between BiVO 4 and MoS 2 promotes charge separation. • MBG photocatalytic degradation rate is 13 and 2.4 times higher than MoS 2 and BiVO 4. • Electron transmission channels promote the separation of photogenerated carriers. The low separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs is the main factor that restricts the performance of photocatalysts. In this paper, BiVO 4 /MoS 2 @GO composites were synthesized by in-situ hydrothermal method, and the experimental conditions were optimized by orthogonal test to improve the separation rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The as-prepared BiVO 4 /MoS 2 @GO composites exhibited a Z-scheme heterojunction, which effectively promoted photogenerated electron-hole pair separation. In addition, the separation rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs was effectively improved by using graphene oxide nanosheets as electron transport channels. This enhanced the utilization rate of photogenerated carriers in the BiVO 4 /MoS 2 @GO composites, thus improving the photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic tetracycline degradation rate of the as-prepared BiVO 4 /MoS 2 @GO in the best working conditions was 13 times and 2.4 times higher than that of MoS 2 and BiVO 4. This work provides new insight into the preparation of photocatalysts with an efficient electron transfer mechanism. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]