Synthesis of Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 composite with enhanced photocatalytic activity by a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis route.

In this study, the characterization and photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 under visible-light irradiation was investigated in detail. The results suggested that Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 can be synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal route using a super big 200 mL Teflon-lined autoclave with optimal sodium oleate/Bi molar ratio of 1.25. Through the characterization of Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra and Photoluminescence spectra, it was found that the as-prepared composite possessed smaller crystallite size and higher visible-light responsive than the pure Bi2WO6. Moreover, it was expected that the as-prepared composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation, which could be ascribed to their improved light absorption property and the reduced recombination of the photogenerated electrons and holes during the photocatalytic reaction. In general, this study could provide a principle method to synthesize Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 with enhanced photocatalytic activity by one-step hydrothermal synthesis route for environmental purification.