Review on Synthesis, Modification, Morphology, and Combination of BiVO4-based Catalysts for Photochemistry: Status, Advances, and Perspectives

Faced with the aggravation of environmental pollution and the looming energy crisis, BiVO4, as an emerging and promising photocatalyst, has drawn more and more attention of researchers. Because of its suitable band gap and special electronic structure, BiVO4 shows excellent photocatalytic activity, which has the advantages of low preparation cost, excellent visible-light absorption, and suitable edge position. Herein, the research status of BiVO4-related catalysts used in photocatalysis was reviewed, including preparations using the hydrothermal method, metal–organic decomposition method, metal doping like noble metal and rare earth, and other structure designs of BiVO4. The modification mechanism of BiVO4 was also further discussed and summarized. The excellent photocatalytic performance of BiVO4 also enables its application to more than just PEC and CO2 reduction. Finally, through the review of this paper, we hope to make a contribution to the ideas and synthesis of BiVO4 photocatalysts with better comprehensive properties.