Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of BiVO4 by a citric acid complexation process

The visible-light responsive photocatalyst BiVO4 was synthesized through a complexation process. The photophysical and phtotcatalytic properties of the photocatalyst were characterized by XRD, SEM, BET surface area, and DRS techniques. By calcining at various temperatures, the crystalline structure of BiVO4 converted from tetragonal scheelite to monoclinic scheelite phases. The crystallization of BiVO4 occurred when the calcination treatment was carried out at 673 K. The visible-light photocatalytic activities were comparative studied by the decomposition of red FN-3G. The results show the highest efficiency is the sample calcined at 573 K. It also found that large surface area can improve the visible light absorption and phtotcatalytic activities.