SYNTHESIS OF CROSS Bi₂ WO₆ MICROWAFERS WITH ENHANCED PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY UNDER VISIBLE LIGHT IRRADIATION

Abstract

Novel cross Bi 2 WO 6 microwafers have been fabricated by a facile acetone-assisted solvothermal method in high quantity. The structure characterizations of the microwafers were investigated in detail by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the orthorhombic phase of Bi 2 WO 6 with high crystallinity can be obtained and each microwafer is polycrystalline in nature and organized by the nanoflake subunits. UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectrum of the prepared Bi 2 WO 6 microwafers demonstrates that they have absorption in the visible light region. The photocatalytic activity of cross Bi 2 WO 6 microwafers toward (Rhodamine B) RhB degradation under visible light was investigated, and it was found to be significantly better than that of Bi 2 WO 6 sample prepared by solid-state reaction (SSR-Bi 2 WO 6 ) .