Microwave-assisted Synthesis Bismuth Vanadate (BiVO₄) Powder

Abstract

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) powder was synthesized by the microwave method. Bismuth nitrate pentahydrate (Bi(NO₃)₃.5H₂O) and ammonium vanadate (NH₄VO₃) were used as the starting precursors with the mole ratio of 1:1. The mixed solution was stirred and adjusted the pH of solution to 7 with ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH). The yellow final solution was treated in the microwave with an irradiation power at 600, 700 and 800 Watt for 2, 4 and 6 min, respectively. The phase of BiVO₄ powder was identified by X–ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology and chemical composition of BiVO₄ powder were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X–ray spectroscopy (EDXS), respectively. The surface area of BiVO₄ powder was determined by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis (BET).

Keywords:

• BiVO₄
• microwave-assisted
• tetragonal
• monoclinic

Acknowledgments

This research was financial supported by the National Science and Technology Department Agency (NSTDA), the Young Scientist and Technologist Programme grant (YSTP: SP55–NN06) and the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.