TiO2 nanobelts photocatalysts decorated with Bi2WO6 nanocrystals: Preparation and enhanced photocatalytic activity

• TiO2 nanobelts decorated with Bi2WO6 nanocrystals have been prepared.
• The introduction of Bi2WO6 nanocrystals can induce red-shift of absorption edge.
• The Bi2WO6/TiO2 composites show higher photocatalytic activity than TiO2 nanobelts.
• The Bi2WO6/TiO2 composites have long-time recyclable ability of photodegradation.

In this paper, the controllable preparation of one-dimensional TiO2 nanobelts decorated with Bi2WO6 nanocrystals based on Ti foils was reported using two-step hydrothermal treatment method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement results exhibited the binding energy changes of Ti and O elements, implying the strong adhesion of Bi2WO6 nanocrystals onto the surface of TiO2 nanobelts. The ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra showed that the introduction of Bi2WO6 nanocrystals could induce the red-shift of absorption edge and exhibited a broad absorption band in the visible region, which extended the scope of absorption spectrum and help to improve the photocatalytic degradation efficiency. The photocatalytic experiment results revealed that Bi2WO6/TiO2 composites possess higher photocatalytic activities toward methyl orange than pure TiO2 nanobelts. The degradation efficiency of 90% after 5 cycles indicated that the as-prepared composite photocatalysts exhibited excellent long-time recyclable ability for the degradation of contaminants.

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