Synthesis of BiVO4 with surface heterojunction for enhancing photocatalytic activity by low temperature aqueous method

The BiVO4 with surface heterojunction is synthesized via additives-free low temperature aqueous method. The formation of co-exposed {0 1 0} and {1 1 0} facets of BiVO4 follows the nucleation-Ostwald ripening growth process. The DFT calculations shows that the {0 1 0} and {1 1 0} facets can form surface heterojunction, therefore, the co-exposed {0 1 0} and {1 1 0} facets of BiVO4 exhibit highest photocatalytic activity.