Facile synthesis and photocatalytic activity of monoclinic BiVO4 micro/nanostructures with controllable morphologies

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► BiVO{sub 4} micro/nanostructures have been synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. ► The shapes of BiVO{sub 4} micro/nanostructures can be controlled by tuning the synthetic parameters. ► BiVO{sub 4} nanorods with rectangular cross sections exhibit improved photocatalytic activities. -- Abstract: Monoclinic BiVO{sub 4} (m-BiVO{sub 4}) micro/nanostructures, such as nanorods, nanofibers, bundle-like nanostructures, and porous submicrometer-sized rods, have been successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal method in an ethylene glycol–water–sodium oleate system. The morphologies and sizes of m-BiVO{sub 4} micro/nanostructures can be controlled by adjusting the synthetic parameters, such as the concentrations of sodium oleate and reaction time. Among them, the synthesized m-BiVO{sub 4} nanorods have rectangular cross sections, and can grow along the [0 0 1] direction, and are enclosed by well-defined facets, such as (0 0 2), (2 4 0), and (2{sup ¯}10), which are distinct from that with circular cross sections. A crystallization-cleavage-disassembly process has been proposed for the formation of m-BiVO{sub 4} nanorods with rectangular cross sections. The photocatalytic activity of m-BiVO{sub 4} nanostructures is affected greatly by the sizes and shapes of m-BiVO{sub 4} nanostructures. Photocatalytic measurements show that the m-BiVO{sub 4} nanorods with rectangular cross sections exhibit higher photocatalyticmore » activities of Rhodamine B in comparison with m-BiVO{sub 4} nanofibers with circular cross-sections and porous submicrometer-sized rods.« less