Novel synthesis and photocatalytic performance of BiVO4 with tunable morphologies and macroscopic structures

BiVO4 photocatalysts with tunable morphologies and macroscopic structures were successfully achieved by a facile combined alcohol-thermal and CNFs templates route, based on the adjustment of solvent composition. The phase structures, morphologies, and optical absorption properties of the as-prepared BiVO4 samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in detail. In addition, the results show that the photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared BiVO4 samples for the degradation of rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation are dependent on the solvent used in the synthesis. Note that the BiVO4 sample which derived from the mixture solvent (ethanol: EG=1:1, volumetric ratio), has the highest photocatalytic activity (up to 92% within 3 h), due to its fusiform-like morphology and macroscopic structure, better crystallization, relatively larger specific surface area, suitable band gap energy and good permeability. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.