Fe-ions modified mesoporous Bi2WO6 nanosheets with high visible light photocatalytic activity.

Fe-ions modified mesoporous Bi(2)WO(6) nanosheets (Fe-Bi(2)WO(6)) were successfully synthesized via a simple two-step method, which involved a template-free hydrothermal process and a following impregnation treatment. The resultant products were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, EDX, ESR, UV-Vis, PL, and visible light photocatalytic measurements. Experimental results indicated that the addition of a small amount Fe-ions (optimized content at 0.1 wt.%) could evidently improve the activity of Bi(2)WO(6). The apparent reaction rate of Fe-Bi(2)WO(6)-0.1% (k, 0.099 min(-1)) was 3.2 times higher than that of Fe-Bi(2)WO(6)-0% (k, 0.031 min(-1)). The Fe-ions mainly existed as Fe(3+) and Fe(2+) ions, which were uniformly distributed on the surface of Bi(2)WO(6) nanosheets and some Fe(3+)-ions substituted Bi(3+)-ions in Bi(2)O(2) layers. Both of the concentration and state of Fe-ions played vital factors for the improved visible light photocatalytic activities.