Investigation on the structural and optical properties of sonochemically synthesized BiVO4 for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

BiVO 4 has been successfully synthesised using facile sonication method by varying the ultrasonic output power. The crystal structure, morphology and catalytic efficiency of the samples prepared using sonication technique with different power output has been compared with the sample prepared by normal magnetic stirring. An ideal output power which yields better catalytic efficiency is figured out. The crystal structure and phases of the samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction which confirmed that all samples had monoclinic scheelite structure. The morphology has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The band gap determined using DRS revealed that sample sonicated with 120 W output power had lower bandgap and an increased surface area of 2.24 times greater than that of the as prepared sample. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by decolorization of methyl blue under visible light and sample sonicated with 120 W power output possessed higher photocatalytic activity than other samples.