LAUSR

To enhance the photocatalytic activity of monoclinic scheelite (ms) BiVO4 for dye degradation, the heterostructured core (BiVO4)/shell (BiVO4:Eu3+) samples were synthesized by sol–gel method. The samples were characterized by UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The results reveal that as-synthesized photocatalysts are characteristic of ms core/shell structure, responsive to visible light. The XPS spectra confirm that the doped Eu3+ mainly distributed in the outside layer of BiVO4 particle. The valence band (VB) spectra indicate the shell (BiVO4:Eu3+) exhibits a high carrier mobility. The core/shell photocatalysts showed higher photocatalytic activity than pure BiVO4 through degrading Rhodamine B and Methylene blue. The better performance of core/shell heterojunction mainly results from that the Eu3+ ions selectively present on shell layer, increasing the VB value of shell layer (forming a interface electric field with core) and carrier mobility. It is considered that the half-filled 7f–electron configuration of Eu3+ can improve the electron trapping and transfer. Besides, the low PL intensity and high SBET of BiVO4/BiVO4:Eu3+ contribute to enhanced photocatalytic performances.