Open porous BiVO4 nanomaterials: Electronspinning fabrication and enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Mengyan; Xi, Xin; Gong, Cairong; Zhang, Xiao Li; Fan, Guoliang
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 74(2016)
• Page Start: 258
• Page End: 264
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: A. Oxides -- B. Sol–gel Chemistry -- C. Electron microscopy -- D. Catalytic properties; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2015.10.051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: BiVO4 nanofibers were successfully fabricated by electrospinning method. PVP was used to adjust the viscosity and increase spinnability of the electrospinning sol. BiVO4 nanofibers were used for the degradation of MB. Compared to the submicron sized BiVO4, BiVO4 nanofibers show superior photocatalytic activity. Abstract: Witnessed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies, BiVO4 nanofibers and porous nanostructures were successfully fabricated by electrospinning method using NH4 VO3 and Bi(NO3 )3 as starting materials. Polyvinylpyrrolidinone (PVP) was used to tune the viscosity and spinnability of the electrospinning sol. The slow decomposition and combustion of PVP matrix prevented rapid crystal growth of BiVO4 nanostructures leading to considerably small crystallite size (approximately 19.1–28.3 nm) with less surface defects after two hours calcination at varying temperatures. This paid great tributes to the superior visible light photocatalytic activity when compared to the submicron sized BiVO4 prepared in the absence of PVP.