BiVO4 dendrites have been controllably synthesized by a hydrothermal method without any surfactants or templates. The structure and morphology of the obtained BiVO4 dendrites were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The effect of the pH values, precursors, solution concentrations, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the morphology and structure of the BiVO4 dendrites was systematically studied for the first time. It is found that the morphologies of the obtained BiVO4 crystallites can vary from cubic-like to dendritic shape. The BiVO4 dendrites can be successfully fabricated by the hydrothermal method at 150 oC and pH 7 when Bi2(CO3)3 and NH4VO3 were used as precursors The resultant dendritic structure has four trunks which have ordered branches on the opposite sides of the trunks. A rational mechanism for the oriental growth of the BiVO4 dendrites is discussed. The preparation of BiVO4 dendrites with well-dened shapes may open new opportunities for wide applications of future nanodevices.

Keywords: Hydrothermal, Synthesis, BiVO4 dendrites