Effects of pH on hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of visible-light-driven BiVO4 photocatalyst

BiVO4 powders were hydrothermally synthesized at different pHs and characterized by XRD, SEM, DRS, nitrogen adsorption and Raman techniques. It revealed that the pH values of the precursors can influence significantly on the morphologies and structures of the products. The photocatalytic activities of the catalyst obtained were evaluated by the decolorization of methyl orange in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. It was found that monoclinic BiVO4 showed better photocatalytic activities than those shown by the tetragonal phase under visible light, which are attributed to its wider bandgap. The results also revealed that the dispersive particles with larger surface area represented higher activities than the coagulate ones when considering their photocatalysis.

Visible-light-driven BiVO4 photocatalyst was hydrothermally synthesized at different pHs and exhibited changed morphologies, components and photocatalysis regularly. It reveals that monoclinic BiVO4 shows better photocatalytic activities than tetragonal phase when evaluated by the decolorization of methyl orange in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation; and dispersive particles also represent higher activities than coagulate ones regarding of their photocatalysis.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide