Double-diffusion-based synthesis of BiVO mesoporous single crystals with enhanced photocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution

BiVO 4 mesoporous single crystals (MSCs) were successfully prepared, for the first time, by a one-step hydrothermal method using the acidified BiVO 4 precursor solution pre-impregnated silica as the template. It was revealed that the BiVO 4 MSCs were formed by a double-diffusion mechanism. The O 2 evolution rate over BiVO 4 MSCs was improved nearly 10 times than that over BiVO 4 bulk single crystals. BiVO 4 mesoporous single crystals (MSCs) were successfully prepared, for the first time, by a one-step hydrothermal method using the acidified BiVO 4 precursor solution pre-impregnated silica as the template.