Synthesis of large surface area nano-sized BiVO4 by an EDTA-modified hydrothermal process and its enhanced visible photocatalytic activity

In this work, monoclinic scheelite-type BiVO4 nanoparticle with large surface area has been successfully synthesized, using Bi(NO3)3 and NH4VO3 as raw materials, through a hydrothermal process in the presence of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). It is demonstrated that the nanoparticle size of as-prepared BiVO4 becomes small by decreasing hydrothermal temperature, shortening hydrothermal reaction time and increasing EDTA amount used. The resulting BiVO4 nanoparticle with large surface area exhibits a good photocatalytic performance for degrading phenol solution as a model organic pollutant under visible illumination. The key of this method is the chelating role of EDTA group in the synthetic process that it can greatly control the concentration of Bi3+, leading to the growth inhibition of BiVO4 crystallite. The work provides a route for the synthesis of Bi-containing nano-sized composite oxides with large surface area.