The linear and nonlinear absorption properties, photoluminescence and optical limiting properties of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) powders and films were presented in this work. The structural, morphological and optical effects of different doping elements (M: Mo,W and Ni) were investigated (M: BiVO4). XRD and Raman results proved that BiVO4 and M: BiVO4 powders were synthesized in the monoclinic scheelite structure. Twhe powder morphology as found to be changed by Ni and W doping. The nonlinear optical responses of pure and M: BiVO4 were studied using the open aperture Z-scan experiment and a theoretical model was used to determine the nonlinear optical absorption performance. The nonlinear absorption coefficient (βeff) values were found to be 6.59 × 104, 8.86 × 104, 2.26 × 105 and 1.62 × 106 cm/GW for BiVO4, Mo: BiVO4, W: BiVO4 and Ni: BiVO4 nanocomposite films, respectively. The highest nonlinear absorption coefficients (βeff) and saturation intensity thresholds (ISAT) were obtained for Ni:BiVO4 film. Experimental results showed that the βeff value and band gap can be controlled by the dopant element, making doped BiVO4 a good candidate for nonlinear optical applications such as optical limiters, optical switches and modulators in integrated photonic devices.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2022.119362