A Z-scheme heterogeneous photocatalyst CdS–Au–BiVO4was synthesized for the first time by photo-reduction and deposition–precipitation methods.

The solar energy conversion efficiency of semiconductor materials is closely related to the separation rate of photogenerated charge carriers.

BiVO4 mesoporous single crystals (MSCs) were successfully prepared, for the first time, by a one-step hydrothermal method using the acidified BiVO4 precursor solution pre-impregnated silica as the template. It was revealed that the BiVO4 MSCs were formed by a double-diffusion mechanism. The O2 evolution rate over BiVO4 MSCs was improved nearly 10 times than that over BiVO4 bulk single crystals.

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