Self-assembled BiVO4 mesocrystals for efficient photocatalytic decontamination of microcystin-LR

There is a lack of efficient methods for removing microcystins produced by cyanobacterial blooms. Here, microsphere-like bismuth vanadate (BiVO4-60) mesocrystals using a simple solvothermal method were prepared and applied to the photocatalytic degradation of microcystin-LR. The results show that the self-assembly of BiVO4 mesocrystals is mainly due to the coordination between acetone and BiO+. The surface area normalized rate constant (k(SA)) of microcystin-LR degradation for BiVO4-60, of 4.02 x 10(-3) L/m(2)/min, is 3.56 times higher than that of BiVO4-0, of 1.13 x 10(-3) L/m(2)/min. This enhanced photocatalytic activity is explained by the direct oxidation of photogenerated h(+) produced on the (110)-oxidation facets. Moreover, BiVO4-60 mesocrystals exhibit stable dispersion and photostability during microcystin-LR degradation. Overall, our findings demonstrate a facile strategy for synthesizing BiVO4 mesocrystals, and provides a promising technology for degrading microcystin-LR.

Automated summary

Microsphere-like bismuth vanadate mesocrystals were synthesized using a simple solvothermal method and applied to the photocatalytic degradation of microcystin-LR. The results showed that these mesocrystals exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity and stable dispersion and photostability during the degradation process. This study is significant for the development of efficient methods for removing microcystins.