Large-scale controllable synthesis of dumbbell-like BiVO4 photocatalysts with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

The controllable synthesis of novel dumbbell-like BiVO4 hierarchical nanostructures has been successfully obtained via a simple hydrothermal route. The as-synthesized products were studied by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that the nucleation and growth of the nanodumbbells were governed by an oriented aggregation growth mechanism. It is noteworthy that the concentration of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and the volume ratio of H2O to CH3COOH were crucial to the growth of the final nanoarchitectures. Control experiments were also carried out to investigate the factors which impact on the morphology of the products. Furthermore, the as-prepared BiVO4 hierarchical nanostructures demonstrated the superior visible-light-driven photocatalytic efficiency, which is helpful for the separation and recycle considering their promising applications in harmful pollutants disposal.