Abstract:The visible-light responsive photocatalyst BiVO4 crystals were prepared via a hydrothermal synthesis with Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and NH4VO3 as the raw materials. The crystal structure, particle size, morphologies and optical properties of the as-synthesized samples were investigated by XRD, SEM and UV-Vis tests. The results reveal that pH value of the precursor solution plays an important role in determining the phase of the as-synthesized products. The XRD and SEM results of the products which were synthesized under acidic or weak alkaline condition show that those samples possess a pure monoclinic scheelite structure of BiVO4, and exhibite irregular lamellar-like shape. The absorption edge of the as-prepared BiVO4 crystals is located at 525nm. The reaction conditions have significant influence on the photocatalytic property of the as-synthesized products. When Bi∶V is 1∶1, pH value is 3.08, temperature is 160℃, and hydrothermal treatment time is 1h, the photocatalytic activities reach the maximum.