Chemical Synthesis and Characterization of Bismuth Vanadate Powder

Bismuth vanadate powder was synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method. Bismuth nitrate and ammonium vanadate were used as the starting precursors. The yellow precipitated powder was formed after adding ammonium hydroxide until the pH of final solution was 7. The powder was filtered and dried at 60 °C for 24h and calcined at 200-400 °C for 2h. The phase of bismuth vanadate powder was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A single phase of monoclinic structure was obtained after calcinations at 200-400 °C for 2h. The morphology and particle size of bismuth vanadate powder were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle was irregular in shape and highly agglomerated with an average particle size of 0.5 µm in width and 1.5 µm in length.