Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6 composite photocatalyst prepared by one-step hydrothermal method: Simple synthesis and excellent visible-light photocatalytic performance

• Published in: Materials science in semiconductor processing 2021-04, Vol.125, p.105636, Article 105636
• Main Authors: Miao, Baoyu, Chu, Yanyang, Zheng, Xianglei, Su, Hongzhao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Degradation mechanism; Dye degradation; One-step hydrothermal method; Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6; Visible-light photocatalytic
• ISSN: 1369-8001; 1873-4081
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2020.105636

In this study, the novel visible-light-driven composite photocatalysts (Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6) were prepared by the one-step hydrothermal method. The morphology, crystal structure, chemical state and optical properties of the prepared photocatalysts were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (UV–vis DRS), BET surface area and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The photocatalytic experiment results showed that Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6 composite photocatalysts possessed superior photocatalytic activity toward RhB and MO degradation in comparison with the single phase Sb2WO6 and Bi2WO6. Under visible-light irradiation, 100% of RhB (10 mg/L, 100 mL) and 70% of MO (10 mg/L, 100 mL) were degraded in the present of Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6 with 6% Sb content within 90 min. The mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement was attributed to the enhanced visible-light absorbance, the inhibition of electron-hole pair's recombination and the increase of specific surface area. The pathway of RhB degradation was proposed according to HPLC and GC-MS analysis. This study provided a simple method without organic solvent to construct a new efficient composite photocatalyst for dye wastewaters treatment. •Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6 were prepared by one-step hydrothermal method for the first time.•The preparation method of the catalysts was free of organic solvents.•Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6 exhibited visible-light response and strong photoelectric performance.•The effective dyes degradation was obtained both under simulated light and sunlight.•The degradation mechanism and the pathway of RhB degradation were proposed.