Multiple modifications of BiVO4 through the assembly of metal-phenolic networks for enhanced photocatalytic activity

The natural polyphenol tannic acid is firstly utilized to coordinate with Ru(III) ions to form RuIII-tannic acid complexes shell on the surface of BiVO4 at room temperature. Meanwhile, one-step synthesis of BiVO4@RuIII-tannic acid complexes core-shell embedded with Pd nanoparticles in the shell layer is achieved by the use of tannic acid for coordination and reduction. The photosynergistic effect among the components of BiVO4, RuIII-tannic acid complexes, Pd nanoparticle contributes to the enhanced visible light photocatalytic acitivity. This study will hopefully provide ideas and concepts for designing novel materials for specialized purposes.