The Controllable Synthesis of Octadecahedral BiVO4 with Exposed {111} Facets

Urea was used as a reactant and base retardant for the controllable synthesis of octadecahedral BiVO4 (OD-BiVO4) with exposed {111}, {010}, {011}, and {110} facets. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV/Vis spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The effect of the urea molecules on the morphology of BiVO4 was studied. The urea molecules show a preferential adsorption on the {111}, {010}, {011}, and {110} facets of BiVO4, and the urea molecules on the {111} facets retard the growth of the {010}, {011}, and {110} facets. The growth of BiVO4 in ammonia solution and through the urea hydrolysis method was studied in detail. The photocatalytic efficiency of OD-BiVO4 for the photodegradation of rhodamine B was also studied.