A simple preparation method of visible-Light-Driven BiVO₄ photocatalysts from oxide starting materials (Bi₂O₃ and V₂O₅) and their photocatalytic activities

BiVO₄ powder was easily prepared from Bi₂O ₃ and V₂O₅ in an aqueous nitric acid solution at room temperature. The obtained crystal structure depended on the molar ratio of Bi₂O₃ to V₂O₅, which is the concentration and volume of an aqueous nitric acid solution. BiVO4 with monoclinic scheelite structure formed using starting materials, in which the molar ratio of Bi₂O₃ to V₂O₅ was 1:1. When the molar ratio was 4:3, BiVO₄ with tetragonal zircon structure was obtained. Although BiVO4 with monoclinic scheelite structure was platelike particles reflecting the crystal structure, the thickness of the particle increased with an increase in the concentration of an aqueous nitric acid solution. The obtained BiVO₄ with monoclinic scheelite structure showed good photocatalytic performances for O2 evolution and methylene blue degradation under visible-light irradiation.