BiVO₄-polyvinyl alcohol composites: a novel approach to wastewater treatment with antimicrobial efficacy

Pure BiVO₄, PVA, and BiVO₄/PVA (1 : 3) nanocomposite were synthesized using a straight forward coprecipitation technique to improve the photocatalytic degradation of reactive yellow dye. The optical and morphological properties of synthesized nanostructures were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR, PL, and UV-via spectra. The optical properties of pure BiVO₄ and PVA were improved for efficient photocatalytic removal of major water pollutants. After 140 min, 91.3% of the reactive yellow dye was removed with an optimum band gap of 2.03 eV for the BiVO₄/PVA (1 : 3) sample. It has been determined that BiVO₄/PVA (1 : 3) has a significant influence on the recombination rate of the photogenerated electron/hole pairs; hence, it decreases the band gap. Recyclability and trapping tests have also been carried out for the stability of the optimized catalyst. This photocatalyst BiVO₄/PVA (1 : 3) stable for seven cycles for reactive yellow dye degradation may lead to a world of new production. Other studies will also be performed on its antimicrobial activity, such as through the nanocomposite size, and how it may affect the deactivation of microorganisms. In the antimicrobial activity test, it was shown that the nanocomposites possessed complementary effects in their antibacterial efficacy towards <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.