biostudies-literatureOrimolade BOGlobal Excellence and Stature (GES), University of JohannesburgNational Research Foundation, South Africa4214https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8913733biostudies-literatureUnknown12(1)We report the photoelectrocatalysis of diclofenac sodium using a reactor consisting of Ag-BiVO₄/BiOI anode and Ag-BiOI cathode. The electrodes were prepared through electrodeposition on FTO glass and modified with Ag nanoparticles through photodeposition. The structural and morphological studies were carried out using XRD, SEM, and EDS which confirmed the successful preparation of the materials. The optical properties as observed with UV-DRS revealed that the electrodes were visible light active and incorporation of metallic Ag particles on the surface increased the absorption in the visible light region. Presence of p-n heterojunction in the anode led to decrease in the spontaneous recombination of photoexcited electron-hole pairs as seen in the photocurrent response. The resulScientific reportsEnhanced photoelectrocatalytic degradation of diclofenac sodium using a system of Ag-BiVO₄/BiOI anode and Ag-BiOI cathode.PMC8913733CPRR Grant number: 118546Arotiba OAOrimolade BOfalseEnhanced photoelectrocatalytic degradation of diclofenac sodium using a system of Ag-BiVO₄/BiOI anode and Ag-BiOI cathode.We report the photoelectrocatalysis of diclofenac sodium using a reactor consisting of Ag-BiVO₄/BiOI anode and Ag-BiOI cathode. The electrodes were prepared through electrodeposition on FTO glass and modified with Ag nanoparticles through photodeposition. The structural and morphological studies were carried out using XRD, SEM, and EDS which confirmed the successful preparation of the materials. The optical properties as observed with UV-DRS revealed that the electrodes were visible light active and incorporation of metallic Ag particles on the surface increased the absorption in the visible light region. Presence of p-n heterojunction in the anode led to decrease in the spontaneous recombination of photoexcited electron-hole pairs as seen in the photocurrent response. The resul2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Mar2025-06-01T12:14:43.854Z2025-06-01T12:14:43.854ZS-EPMC89137333527333310.1038/s41598-022-08213-0