Photocatalytic application of Bi2WO6 nanoplates structure for effective degradation of methylene blue

A visible-light driven photocatalysts of Bi2WO6 nanoplates were fabricated through a hydrothermal route. Bi2WO6 nanoplates prepared by different reaction times were used to examine the photodegradation efficiency of MB. Structure and morphology analysis of samples were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD pattern confirms the well-defined orthorhombic structure of Bi2WO6. Optical band gap values (∼2.7, 2.79 and 2.80 eV) range shows wide band gap for samples have been determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS) and it was calculated by Kubelka-Munk function. Raman spectra confirm the crystal structure and vibration modes of the prepared samples. Bi2WO6 nanoplates prepared by 24 h reaction time shows better photocatalytic activity of 84% degradation of Methylene blue under visible light for 120 min due to its hierarchical structure, crystallite size and lower band gap value.