Bismuth Vanadate (BiVO4) Nanostructures: Eco-Friendly Synthesis and Their Photocatalytic Applications

Green nanotechnology plays an important role in designing environmentally-benign and sustainable synthesis techniques to provide safer products for human health and environments. In this context, the synthesis of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanoparticles (NPs) based on green chemistry principles with the advantages of eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity has been explored by researchers. Despite the advantages of these synthesis techniques, crucial aspects regarding their repeatability and large-scale production still need to be comprehensively explored. BiVO4 NPs have shown excellent potential in the pharmaceutical industry, cancer therapy, and photocatalysis. BiVO4 particles with monoclinic scheelite structures have been widely investigated for their environmental applications owing to their fascinating optical and electrical properties as well as their high stability and unique crystal structure properties. These NPs with good photostability and resistance to photocorrosion can be considered as promising nanophotocatalysts for degradation of pollutants including organic dyes and pharmaceutical wastes. However, additional explorations should be moved toward the optimization of reaction/synthesis conditions and associated photocatalytic mechanisms. Herein, recent developments regarding the environmentally-benign fabrication of BiVO4 NPs and their photocatalytic degradation of pollutants are deliberated, with a focus on challenges and future directions.