Synthesis and Photocatalytic Property of BiVO<sub>4</sub> Photocatalyst by Cotton Fiber Template Method

BiVO4 hollow nano-fiber photocatalytic material was prepared via two steps method of soaking and thermal transition using the cotton fiber as the template. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and BET. The photocatalytic activity under visible light was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange(MO) in the solution. It was found that the samples calcinated at 400°C for 3.5 h had the hollow tube structure which is the copy of the cotton fibre structure and had the best photocatalytic activity. The decolorization rate of methyl orange can reach to be 97 % or so, increased 16 % than that of sample that prepared with no cotton fiber template. It indicated that the sample’s morphology and the specific surface area was the main reason of higher photocatalytic activity.