Synthesis and characterization of a novel BiVO4/SiO2 nanocomposites

•We synthesized BiVO4–SiO2 hybrid materials by hydrothermal calcination method.•The BiVO4–SiO2 has enhanced photocatalytic activity than pure samples.•The p–n junction of BiVO4–SiO2 improves the separation of electron–hole pairs.

A novel hybrid BiVO4–SiO2 composites with mesoporous composite structure were synthesized by hydrothermal calcination method. The as-prepared BiVO4/SiO2 hybrid material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and BET measurements, respectively. Its photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the performance for decomposing C.I. Reactive Blue 19 in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation, and photocatalytic efficiency was effectively improved compared to the pure semiconductor materials.