Synthesis of monoclinic sheet-like BiVO4 with preferentially exposed (040) facets as a new yellow-green pigment

• Monoclinic BiVO4 yellow-green pigments were first prepared by solvothermal route.
• Glycerol serves as co-solvent and directing agent simultaneously.
• pH value affects crystal growth of mBiVO4 along (040) facet and its morphology.
• Development of a yellow-green color due to the growth of (040) facet.
• Sheet-like morphology is also responsible for the yellow-green color.

Monoclinic BiVO4 (mBiVO4) yellow-green pigments were first prepared by a surfactant-free solvothermal route in glycerol/H2O system. The effects of pH value in the synthetic process on color property, structure, exposed facets, morphology and particle size of present mBiVO4 pigments have been studied by means of UV–Vis DRS, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, HRTEM and BET surface area. The application of glycerol followed by adjusting appropriate pH values lead to the color change of mBiVO4 from yellow to yellow-green. What is more, the preferential crystal growth of mBiVO4 along (040) facets, as well as morphology can also be affected. The mBiVO4 yellow-green pigments can be obtained in the pH range of 3–5 in this glycerol/H2O system. The corresponding relationship among pH values of the precursor, color property, exposed (040) facets and morphology of different BiVO4 samples was also discussed. It is concluded that the color property of present mBiVO4 yellow-green pigments can be attributed to the preferentially exposed (040) facets and sheet-like morphology simultaneously.

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