Eu/BiVO4 photocatalyst was synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The structures and morphologies of Eu/BiVO4 photocatalysts were investigated by XRD, SEM and FT-IR and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of tetracycline
hydrochloride (TCH) under the visible light irradiation. From the photocatalytic activity test, 1% Eu/BiVO4 displayed more superior photodegradation efficiency with 91.4% degradation efficiency of TCH in 150 min by contrast with 77.3% degradation rate of pure BiVO4. The
mechanism has been explored that h+ is the primary active species, and ·OH is a secondary active substance in the photocatalytic process.