Nanostructured shuriken-like BiVO4 with preferentially exposed {010} facets: preparation, formation mechanism, and enhanced photocatalytic performance

Abstract

Nanostructured shuriken-like monoclinic scheelite phase BiVO₄ (mBiVO₄) with preferentially exposed {010} facets was synthesized by a solvothermal process in a glycerol (Gly)/water mixed solvent using ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid disodium (EDTA) as the structure-directing agent. EDTA competes with Gly to control the kind and concentration of reaction species in the system, and thereby the preferential growth of mBiVO₄ nanocrystals along the {010} facets as well as formation of a shuriken-like morphology can take place at the same time. The formation mechanism of products with different microstructures is proposed. The optimized mBiVO₄ photocatalyst obtained using 0.4 mmol EDTA exhibited highest photocatalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) degradation, which could be attributed to the highest exposure degree of the active {010} facets, as well as the shuriken-like nanostructure, which enhanced the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes.