Template-free and cost-effective nebulizer spray-coated BiVO${}_4$ nanostructured thin films for photocatalytic applications

The present study reports on facile deposition of single-phase BiVO4 thin films by nebulizer spray pyrolysis route for different spray volumes (5, 10, 15, and 20 ml). The main objective is to identify the optimum thickness and morphology of BiVO${}_4$ films for enhanced photocatalytic performance. The physical properties of the films were characterized using different analytical techniques. Highly compact and flake-like structures in BiVO${}_4$ film were resulted for higher spray volume without any aid of additive or template in the preparation procedure. Nanoflake BiVO${}_4$ film possessed high optical absorption, effective charge carrier transport properties, and high penetration depth, and exhibited maximum photodegradation efficiency for the treatment of rhodamine B and methyl orange dyes.