Large-scale controllable synthesis of dumbbell-like BiVO4 photocatalysts with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

►Dumbbell-like BiVO4 structures were synthesized and characterized for the first time. ► The volume ratios of H2O to CH3COOH were crucial to the final morphologies. ► Their photocatalytic activity was up to 90% under visible-light irradiation. ► Dumbbell-like BiVO4 structures may utilize the pollutant disposal.