Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activities of Bamboo-Like FeVO4 Nanocrystalline

The bamboo-like FeVO4 nanocrystallines were synthesized by a two-step method of the microwave hydrothermal-calcination, using Fe (NO3)3·9H2O and NH4VO3 as raw materials. The physical and photophysical properties of the as-prepared photocatalysts were fully characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the decolorization of RhB solution under UV and visible light irradiation. The results reveal that the precursor solution concentration is 0.15 mol/L, the molar ratio n (Fe)/n (V) is 1, pH=3.0. The microwave hydrothermal reaction is at 180 °C for 120 min and then calcinated under 550 °C for 3 h so as to obtain the triclinic FeVO4 nanocrystalline. Along [120] and [110], the fore and aft phases of the crystal orientation are bonded self-assembly to grow into the bamboo-like nanocrystalline with the energy gap of 2.42 eV. Under the UV-light irradiation for 240 min, the degradation rate of RhB is up to 91.2%. Adding 0.1 mL H2O2 to the solution, the out-phase photo-fenton reaction occurs and the degradation rate to RhB can reach to 98.8% after 8 h visible-light irradiation.