High-performance porous spherical or octapod-like single-crystalline BiVO4 photocatalysts for the removal of phenol and methylene blue under visible-light illumination

► BiVO4 with well-defined morphologies and/or porous structures are prepared hydrothermally. ► Surfactant and pH value have a great effect on the morphology and pore structure of BiVO4. ► Porous octapod-like BiVO4 performs the best for phenol and methylene blue photodegradation. ► Surface area, pore structure, morphology, and band gap energy determine photocatalytic activity.