Controllable Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties of C-doped BiVO4 with Self-Heterostructure Under Different Light Sources

Abstract

C -doped BiVO 4 with self-heterostructure were synthesized via a facile one-step microwave-hydrothermal route at different reaction temperatures and reaction times. The crystal structure, morphology and photophysical properties of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and UV-Vis techniques. The photocatalytic properties of the samples were evaluated by the decolorization of rhodamine B under ultraviolet light or simulated visible light irradiation. It was found that pure BiVO 4 polyhedrons had a monoclinic structure while C -doped BiVO 4 had self-heterostructure with both monoclinic and tetragonal phase. This mixed-phase structure exhibited higher activity than monoclinic structure under ultraviolet light irradiation while monoclinic C -doped BiVO 4 had better photocatalytic property under simulated visible light irradiation. The selectivity of the light source with different C -doped BiVO 4 self-heterostructures was also discussed in this work.