Abstract
The BiVO4 photocatalyst plays a very important role in photocatalytic reactions attributed to its unique crystalline structure, size, morphology and surface area. Herein, we report a facet-dependent monoclinic scheelite BiVO4 (m-BiVO4) photocatalyst with uniform truncated square (18 sided) hexagonal bipyramidal shape synthesized by a template-free and surfactant-free solvothermal method using ethylene glycol solvent under cost-effective and mild reactions. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the m-BiVO4 photocatalyst are widely characterized. The photocatalytic activity of the m-BiVO4 photocatalyst is tested towards 20 ppm methylene blue (MB) dye aqueous solution as a pollutant model under visible light irradiation. Enhanced visible-light driven photoactivity with dye degradation efficiency of approx. 91% at a rate of 0.388 × 10−2 min−1 is obtained, presumably due to the presence of high-active (040) facets. Zebrafish embryo toxicity test of treated MB dye solution reveals the degradation and toxicity reduction of the MB dye. Moreover, the recycling experiment validates that the m-BiVO4 photocatalyst has a great structural stability with reliable performance. This work may provide a lucid and expedient strategy to synthesize highly crystalline (040) facet-dependent semiconductor photocatalyst toward dye degradation and obviously industrial wastewater remediation.
Highlights
The BiVO4 photocatalyst plays a very important role in photocatalytic reactions attributed to its unique crystalline structure, size, morphology and surface area
Semiconductor photocatalyst is regarded as a promising tool for remediation of water p ollution[16] and many attempts focused on the development of novel visible-light-driven photocatalysts and their activities studies have been r eported[17,18,19,20,21,22]
The highlights are: (a) Facile solvothermal synthesis of (040) facet-dependent BiVO4 photocatalyst, (b) Enhanced photocatalytic activities for aqueous methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible-light irradiation, (c) The Zebrafish embryo toxicity test confirms the toxicity reduction and mineralization efficiency for MB, (d) Feasible and scalable implementation owing to lower photocatalyst preparation cost and the use of freely accessible sunlight
Summary
The BiVO4 photocatalyst plays a very important role in photocatalytic reactions attributed to its unique crystalline structure, size, morphology and surface area. Apart from this, the chemical analysis of target pollutants and degradation products in the industrial effluents and treated wastewater is important to check the treatment efficiency and environment safety. The BiVO4 plays a very important role in photocatalytic reactions attributed to its unique crystalline structure, size, morphology and surface area[30,31].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
