Lattice Defects Engineering in W-, Zr-doped BiVO(4) by Flame Spray Pyrolysis: Enhancing Photocatalytic O(2) Evolution

A flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) method has been developed, for controlled doping of BiVO(4) nanoparticles with W and Zr in tandem with the oxygen vacancies (Vo) of the BiVO(4) lattice. Based on XPS and Raman data, we show that the nanolattice of W-BiVO(4) and Zr-BiO(4) can be controlled to achieve optimal O(2) evolution from H(2)O photocatalysis. A synergistic effect is found between the W- and Zr-doping level in correlation with the Vo-concentration. FSP- made W-BiVO(4) show optimal photocatalytic O(2)-production from H(2)O, up to 1020 μmol/(g × h) for 5%W-BiVO(4), while the best performing Zr-doped achieved 970 μmol/(g × h) for 5%Zr-BiVO(4). Higher W-or Zr-doping resulted in deterioration in photocatalytic O(2)-production from H(2)O. Thus, engineering of FSP-made BiVO(4) nanoparticles by precise control of the lattice and doping-level, allows significant enhancement of the photocatalytic O(2)-evolution efficiency. Technology-wise, the present work demonstrates that flame spray pyrolysis as an inherently scalable technology, allows precise control of the BiVO(4) nanolattice, to achieve significant improvement of its photocatalytic efficiency.