Preparation and optical properties of Bi2FeVMoO10 nanoparticles structurally derived from cation-substitutions in Scheelite-type BiVO4

Highlights: • Bi₂FeVMoO₁₀ with Scheelite structure was synthesized by co-precipitation. • The structural Rietveld refinement was finished. • The nanoparticles (50–80 nm) show high absorption in UV-vis region (E_g = 2.07 eV). • Photocatalysis of Bi₂FeVMoO₁₀ was markedly enhanced than BiVO₄ and Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂. • The mechanism of this photocatalysis system was proposed. - Abstract: Bi₂FeVMoO₁₀ [(Bi_0.8Fe_0.4)(Mo_0.4V_0.4)O₄] was prepared via facile co-precipitation route. It has a tetragonal Scheelite structure derived by cation substitutions in monoclinic BiVO₄. Rietveld refinements of Bi₂FeVMoO₁₀ were performed in body-centered tetragonal Scheelite. The morphological property was tested via SEM, EDX, and TEM measurements. The optical property was measured by UV-vis absorption spectrum. Bi₂FeVMoO₁₀ shows a narrower band gap of 2.07 eV than the monoclinic BiVO₄ and α-Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂. The photo-degradation experiments of Rhodamine-B (RhB) dye solutions were conducted. Bi₂FeVMoO₁₀ nanoparticles have more efficient photocatalytic ability on RhB degradation than that of BiVO₄ and α-Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂. The results were discussed on the Scheelite structure characteristics such as complicated optical absorption centers, loose space in the lattice because of the vacancies, large dispersion in the CB and VB electronic components and the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ redox couples. This multicomponent Scheelite oxide could have potential applications in environment protection.