Low-temperature synthesis of BiVO4 powders by Pluronic-assisted hydrothermal method: Effect of the surfactant and temperature on the morphology and structural control

BiVO4 photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method using Pluronic F-127 as morphology-directing agent. BiVO4 powders with a pure monoclinic phase were obtained at 80 degrees C. For optimizing the conditions of synthesis and investigate the product formation mechanism, the temperature of synthesis was systematically investigated. The structural and morphological properties of the as-synthesized BiVO4 photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nitrogen adsorption measurements (BET) were employed to analyze the specific surface area of the samples. The band gap of the as-prepared BiVO4 samples was determined from the onset of the absorption band of UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The quasi-Fermi potential of electrons of the synthesized samples was determined through pH dependent photovoltage measurements. The photocatalytic activities of the as-synthesized catalysts were evaluated in the photodegradation reaction of an aqueous solution of rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation. The mechanism of formation of the as-prepared BiVO4 samples has also been proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.