Recent progress on the synthesis, morphology and photocatalytic dye degradation of BiVO₄ photocatalysts: A review

ABSTRACT

Bismuth vanadate (BVO) has been established as an efficient photocatalyst for water remediation and energy applications. Its crystal structure stability, high light quantum and electronic transmission efficiency, and outstanding energy utilization capacity are the main reasons for its enhanced utilization as a robust photocatalytic material. Several studies have reported many synthesis methods and strategies to design highly efficient BVO photocatalysts with different shapes, morphologies, facets, oxygen vacancies. This review systematically encapsulates the effects of morphologies on the photodegradation properties. Here, we have surveyed the synthesis methods of BVO photocatalysts followed by their different synthesized morphologies. The photosensitization mechanism whereby the organic dye plays both the role of photosensitizer as well as sample to be degraded is addressed. Further, we have highlighted the general sequential photocatalytic processes and the recent advances on degradation of three model pollutants (Methylene Blue, Rhodamine B and Methyl Orange). The 3 steps photocatalytic mechanism of BVO photocatalysts have discussed. This review provides also the effects of crystal facets, heterojunction BVO materials and elemental doping on the photocatalytic efficiency. Finally, current status, challenges to improve the photoactivity and the future possible scenarios are summarized.

KEYWORDS:

• bismuth vanadate
• photocatalysis
• visible-light
• photocatalytic activity
• morphology
• dyes

Abbreviations

SEM: Scanning Electron Microscopy

HR-TEM: High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy

BVO: BiVO₄

MB: Methylene Blue

RhB: Rhodamine B

MO: Methyl Orange

CB: Conduction Band

VB: Valence Band

UV: Ultraviolet

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the faculty of sciences and the Mohammed V university in Rabat.

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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Funding

No funds have been received for the present review paper