Self-assembled BiVO 4 mesocrystals for efficient photocatalytic decontamination of microcystin-LR

There is a lack of efficient methods for removing microcystins produced by cyanobacterial blooms. Here, microsphere-like bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4 -60) mesocrystals using a simple solvothermal method were prepared and applied to the photocatalytic degradation of microcystin-LR. The results show that the self-assembly of BiVO 4 mesocrystals is mainly due to the coordination between acetone and BiO + . The surface area normalized rate constant ( k SA ) of microcystin-LR degradation for BiVO 4 -60, of 4.02 × 10 –3 L/m 2 /min, is 3.56 times higher than that of BiVO 4 -0, of 1.13 × 10 –3 L/m 2 /min. This enhanced photocatalytic activity is explained by the direct oxidation of photogenerated h + produced on the (110)-oxidation facets. Moreover, BiVO 4 -60 mesocrystals exhibit stable dispersion and photostability during microcystin-LR degradation. Overall, our findings demonstrate a facile strategy for synthesizing BiVO 4 mesocrystals, and provides a promising technology for degrading microcystin-LR.