Bi/BiVO₄ Chainlike Hollow Microstructures: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application as Visible-Light-Active Photocatalysts

Bi/BiVO 4 microstructures with novel hollow chainlike morphology were successfully fabricated for the first time, and their application as photocatalyst is explored. Composites composed of metallic Bi and amorphous BiVO 4 (denoted as Bi/a-BiVO 4 ) are first prepared through a simple solvothermal route using ethylene glycol as solvent and then hydrothermally treated in a basic solution to crystallize BiVO 4 . The Bi content in the Bi/BiVO 4 microstructures can be facilely adjusted by changing the molar ratio of Bi 3+ to V 5+ in the reaction system. The photocatalytic activity of the Bi/BiVO 4 microstructures is assessed by photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light illumination. The Bi/BiVO 4 microstructures exhibit an obviously improved photocatalytic performance compared to the BiVO 4 and Bi. The synergistic effects of BiVO 4 and Bi may contribute to the improved photocatalytic activity. The present research may provide a new approach to design and fabricate BiVO 4 -based photocatalyst with high photocatalytic activity.