Synthesis of BiVO4 Nanoparticles Using Microwave Process and Their Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light Irradiation

A solvothermal method assisted by microwave technique has been developed for the synthesis of highly crystalline and monoclinic BiVO₄ powders with ellipsoidal structure, using Bi(NO₃)₃ · 5H₂O and Na₃VO₄ · 12H₂O as raw materials, and oleic acid as surfactant. The phase structure and morphology of as-prepared BiVO₄ samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and DRS. We have also investigated the photocatalytic activity of these materials for the decomposition of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. From DRS results, BiVO₄ samples showed the absorption spectrum up to the visible region and then their photocatalytic activity was shown higher than commercial P-25 TiO₂ materials. BiVO₄ prepared by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method showed highest photocatalytic activity due to a small particle-size effect.