Low‐Temperature Synthesis of YVO ₄ Nanoparticles and their Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

Yttrium orthovanadate (YVO 4 ) nanoparticles with nearly spherical shape were successfully synthesized via a molten salt method at a low temperature of 200°C. The as‐prepared powders were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and UV‐Vis spectroscopy, respectively. The results show that increasing salt amount and/or elevating calcining temperature can greatly promote the crystallization and growth of YVO 4 phase. UV‐Vis absorption spectra suggested that YVO 4 nanoparticles with the smaller particle size have the stronger UV absorption, and the sequent photocatalytic degradation data also confirmed their higher photocatalytic activity.