Visible light sensitive bismuth vanadate for energy, environmental, and catalytic applications

To achieve the net zero emission dream, developing green and sustainable materials and processes to extract energy and address environmental issues is paramount. Recently, the production of green hydrogen through light-assisted methods has attracted the attention of scientists and researchers. However, the design and development of semiconducting materials with suitable band structures to utilize solar spectrum, high stability, and low cost are significant roadblocks. Among various materials, bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) is emerging as a low-cost, visible-light-active, and easy-to-synthesize material. This review highlights the unique features of BiVO₄, such as its structural, electronic, and optical properties, which define its role in hydrogen production through photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting. Later, we outlined how BiVO₄ and its derivatives can be used for wastewater treatment in the textile, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The impact of morphological and structural properties of photocatalytic BiVO₄ in microbial inactivation, N₂ fixation, and CO₂ reduction has also been comprehensively explored. The review concludes with strategies to mitigate photo-corrosion and provides future directions for using BiVO₄ in clean energy and environmental applications.