Additive-free solvothermal preparation, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of 3D butterfly-like BiVO4.

Three-dimensional butterfly-like BiVO was successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal method at a proper volume ratio (1:4) of EG/HO mixed solution. It was found that ethylene glycol (EG) had an obvious influence on the morphologies of the final products. BiVO with different morphologies could be obtained by simply adjusting the volume ratio of the EG/HO. The crystal structures, morphologies, and photophysical properties of the products were well characterized. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by decolorization of methylene blue (MB) under simulated sunlight irradiation. The results demonstrated that BiVO with butterfly-like morphology was better than that of BiVO-1, BiVO-3 and BiVO-4 for photodegradation of MB. The monoclinic butterfly-like BiVO-2 possessed bigger specific surface area, lower band gap energy, and interesting morphology, resulting in the highest photocatalytic activity under simulated sunlight irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]