The improved photocatalytic activity of CaWO4 nanorods by loading Bi on the surface

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2019-09, Vol.30 (17), p.16049-16055
• Main Authors: Feng, Wenchao, Li, Jun, Lei, Zuomin, Liu, Yi, Shen, Yuqiu, Chen, Zhenxing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calcium tungstates; Catalytic activity; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Charge transfer; Chemistry and Materials Science; Contaminants; Materials Science; Nanorods; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Research; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Scheelite
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-019-01975-w

The photocatalysis of organic contaminants in water is particularly interesting in recent years. Non-noble semimetal bismuch (Bi) has come into notice because of its inexpensiveness and effective surface plasmon response (SPR) that could enhance the photocatalytic activities of photocatalysts. Herein, we reported the synthesis of CaWO 4 and Bi@CaWO 4 photocatalysts with rod-like microstructure. The synthesized CaWO 4 and Bi@CaWO 4 photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS, TEM, EDS and DRS technologies. The photochemical performance and the photocatalytic activities of them were also inquired into. Bi@CaWO 4 nanorods show the enhancement of photocatalytic activity comparing with the CaWO 4 nanorods, which is induced by the SPR effect originating from non-noble Bi. The SPR effect results in the bumper harvest of visible light, efficient charge separation and transfer. Therefore, the photocatalutic activity of CaWO 4 is enhanced by loading Bi on the surface.