Hydrothermal Synthesis of Z-Scheme FeWO4/BiVO4  Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline

Rahul Kumar; Priyanka Mathur; Gajendra Kumar; Gandharve Kumar

doi:10.14233/ajchem.2026.36772

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 10 (2026): Vol 38, Issue 10, 2026

Issue Published : 9 October 2026

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Z-Scheme FeWO4/BiVO4 Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline

https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2026.36772

Rahul Kumar

Department of Chemistry, Bhagwant Global University, Kotdwar-246149, India

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3412-5903

Priyanka Mathur

Department of Chemistry, Bhagwant Global University, Kotdwar-246149, India

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1842-1756

Gajendra Kumar

Department of Chemistry, Constituent Government College (Affiliated to M.J.P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly), Hasanpur-244241, India

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1423-4655

Gandharve Kumar

Department of Chemistry & Sustainability, School of Basic Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida-203201, India

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0482-7024

Corresponding Author(s) : Gandharve Kumar

gandharve.kumar@galgotiasuniversity.edu.in

Asian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 38 No. 10 (2026): Vol 38, Issue 10, 2026
Article Published : 9 October 2026

Abstract

A visible-light-active FeWO₄/BiVO₄ heterostructured photocatalyst was fabricated by decorating irregular BiVO₄ nanoplates with FeWO₄ nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline. The as-prepared composites were systematically characterized using PXRD, FESEM, HRTEM, XPS, UV-Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) analysis to investigate their structural, morphological, optical and electronic properties. Among the different compositions studied, 0.15 FeWO₄/BiVO₄ showed the best photocatalytic performance, with 99% degradation of tetracycline (20 mg L^–1) and a rate constant of 0.0471 min^–1. This result demonstrates the enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of the optimized composite toward tetracycline degradation. This rate constant was approximately six and eight times higher than those of pristine BiVO₄ (0.0083 min^–1) and FeWO₄ (0.0061 min^–1), respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to improved visible-light absorption, favourable Z-scheme interfacial charge transfer, reduced electron–hole recombination and enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species. These findings highlight the potential of FeWO₄/BiVO₄ heterostructures as visible-light-driven photocatalysts for removal of tetracycline from aqueous environments.

Keywords

Z-scheme Iron(II) tungstate Bismuth vanadate Solar photocatalyst Antibiotics degradation

(1)

Kumar, R.; Mathur, P.; Kumar, G.; Kumar, G. Hydrothermal Synthesis of Z-Scheme FeWO4 BiVO4 Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline. ajc 2026, 38, 2645-2652.

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