Green Synthesis and Characterization of SmVO 4 Nanoparticles in the Presence of Carbohydrates As Capping Agents with Investigation of Visible-Light Photocatalytic Properties MOHAMMAD EGHBALI-ARANI, 1 ALI SOBHANI-NASAB, 2,5 MEHDI RAHIMI-NASRABADI, 3,4 and SAEID POURMASOUD 1 1.—Department of Physics, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran. 2.—Young Researchers and Elites Club, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran. 3.—Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4.—Faculty of Pharmacy, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 5.—e-mail: Ali.sobhaninasab@gmail.com SmVO 4 nanoparticles were synthesized through a fast and simple procedure (green method). The effects of three parameters including temperature, type of capping agent, and concentration on the size and morphology behavior of SmVO 4 nanoparticles were explored. The analysis of SmVO 4 nanoparticles was performed through some techniques including, Fourier transform infra- red spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermo- gravimetry, differential thermal analysis, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometers. The study of photocatalytic behaviour of the SmVO 4 nanoparticles in various conditions has been carried out. The impacts of different factors such as dosage, grain size, and kind of pollutant (methylene blue = MB and methyl orange = MO) on the photocatalytic prop- erty of SmVO 4 nanoparticles were assessed. The photocatalytic activities of SmVO 4 catalysts were studied for the degradation of dye under visible light (k > 400 nm). Key words: SmVO 4 , visible Light, nanoparticles, green method, photocatalytic INTRODUCTION Lanthanide orthovanadates (LnVO 4 ) are among the most important families of rare earth com- pounds and have been extensively investigated in many different areas, such as solar cells, unusual magnetic materials, optical polarizers, catalysis, thin film phosphors, gas sensors, and laser host materials. These capabilities, arising from their distinctive electronic structures and countless tran- sitions, occur among 4f shell of the rare earth ions. 1–4 For example, John-Teller phase transitions, which are responsible for many physical properties of LnVO 4 , are common in these compounds. This feature has been verified both theoretically and experimentally in recent years. 5–10 Of all methods for SmVO 4 synthesis, thus far only two techniques, namely hydrothermal and solid-state reactions, have been emphasized. In the latter method, the constituent bulk single metal oxide was heated in a stoichiometric ratio at relatively high temperatures to synthesize these materials. But the problem is difficulty of the route to control nucleation-growth process, which leads to poor crystallinity, particle agglomeration, and low chemical homogeneity. Thus, Saito and co-workers mechanically milled the mixture of single oxides of Sm 2 O 3 and V 2 O 5 powders and heated at 1000–1100°C to synthesize SmVO 4 crystals, and as a result, they encountered the problem mentioned. 11 The earlier method was believed not to be a favorable route to control the (Received October 3, 2017; accepted March 14, 2018) Journal of ELECTRONIC MATERIALS https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-018-6236-3 Ó 2018 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society