Low temperature-synthesis of BiVO4 nanorods using polyethylene glycol as a soft template and the visible-light-activity for copper acetylacetonate decomposition

Monoclinic sheelite BiVO4 nanorods (ms-BiVO4 NRs) have been synthesized from an aqueous solution of Bi(NO3)3 and NH4VO3 at 370 K containing polyethylene glycol (PEG), while micron-sized BiVO4 crystals (ms-BiVO4 MCs) are formed without PEG. The UV–vis absorption spectra of the PEG solutions of NH4VO3 suggested the formation of a complex consisting of VO3− ion and PEG. In this synthetic route, PEG can suppress the reactivity of VO3− ions by the stabilization to further act as a soft template for the formation of ms-BiVO4 NRs. The as-grown ms-BiVO4 NRs exhibit a high level of photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Cu(acac)2 without sacrificial agents under illumination of visible-light (λ > 430 nm). The local symmetry of VO4 tetrahedron affecting the light absorption intensity in addition to the large surface area and high crystallinity have been suggested to be a crucial factor to achieve the high visible-light-activity of ms-BiVO4.

Graphical abstractMonoclinic sheelite BiVO4 nanorods (ms-BiVO4 NRs) have been synthesized from an aqueous solution of Bi(NO3)3 and NH4VO3 at 370 K containing polyethylene glycol (PEG), while micron-sized BiVO4 crystals (ms-BiVO4 MCs) are formed without PEG. The UV–vis absorption spectra of the PEG solutions of NH4VO3 suggested the formation of a complex consisting of VO3− ion and PEG. In this synthetic route, PEG can suppress the reactivity of VO3− ions by the stabilization to further act as a soft template for the formation of ms-BiVO4 NRs. The as-grown ms-BiVO4 NRs exhibit a high level of photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Cu(acac)2 without sacrificial agents under illumination of visible-light (λ > 430 nm). The local symmetry of VO4 tetrahedron affecting the light absorption intensity in addition to the large surface area and high crystallinity have been suggested to be a crucial factor to achieve the high visible-light-activity of ms-BiVO4.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► BiVO4 nanorods (NRs) were synthesized at 370 K from aqueous PEG solution. ► PEG acts as a soft template to yield BiVO4 NRs with a specific surface area of 8.8 m2 g−1. ► The BiVO4 NR exhibits much higher visible-light-activity than the sample prepared without PEG. ► The compatibility of large surface area and high crystallinity is important for achieving high visible-light-activity. ► The local symmetry of VO4 tetrahedron is another crucial factor for the high visible-light-activity.