Hydrothermal synthesis of BiVO4: Structural and morphological influence on the photocatalytic activity

BiVO4 hierarchical heterostructures are synthesized by means of a surfactant free hydrothermal method having good photoactivities for the degradation of methylene blue under UV–vis irradiation. From the structural and morphological characterization it has been stated that BiVO4 present the monoclinic crystalline phase with different morphologies depending on the pH value, type of precipitating agent and hydrothermal temperature and treatment time. The best photocatalytic performance was attained for the samples with needle-like morphology.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► By a simple hydrothermal method we achieve the BiVO4 photoactive monoclinic phase.
► Best performances were not associated to the surface area values.
► Photoactivity is strongly affected by the crystallite size and morphology.
► Better photocatalytic performances have been obtained for needle-like m-BiVO4.
► Irradiation with low power sunlike lamp leads to notably photodegradation of MB.