Phase-controlled microwave synthesis of pure monoclinic BiVO4 nanoparticles for photocatalytic dye degradation

Pure monoclinic bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanoparticles were successfully prepared using a single step, pH-controlled, microwave approach. This simple, fast, synthesis is shown to be an industrially viable, low temperature (<= 90 degrees C, non-vacuum) and environmentally benign alternate to other approaches. The parameters of the microwave synthesis protocol, including pH, temperature, and reaction time, were varied to control morphology and crystal phase. Optimal synthesis conditions for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) were determined and this material was compared against state-of-the art samples produced by more conventional methods, revealing very similar performances. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.