Graphene oxide-Fe2V4O13 hybrid material as highly efficient hetero-Fenton catalyst for degradation of methyl orange

A new hetero-Fenton type GO/Fe2V4O13 was developed and characterized by FT-IR, XRD, HR-SEM, TEM, and UV-DRS analysis. XRD pattern reveals the presence of monoclinic phase of Fe2V4O13 in the catalyst. TEM images show the particle sizes in the range from 20 to 100nm and the nice dispersion of nanosized Fe2V4O13 particles on the surface of the graphene oxide. The hetero-Fenton catalyst was used for the degradation of Methyl orange (MO) under UV and solar light. The mineralization rate was influenced by H2O2 concentration, pH, and catalyst loading. The reusability 21% GO/Fe2V4O13 was analyzed. GO/Fe2V4O13 was stable and reusable up to five cycles with 95% degradation. Solar experiments were carried out at different initial solution pH with Fe2V4O13 and 21% GO/Fe2V4O13. Both catalysts show maximum degradation efficiency at pH 6. Mechanism of heterophoto-Fenton process is also proposed. This study reveals that Fe2V4O13 and 21% GO/Fe2V4O13 catalysts are efficient under UV and solar light for the degradation MO and can be utilized for the treatment of dye wastewater.