Hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical rose-like Bi2WO6 microspheres with high photocatalytic activities under visible-light irradiation

► Rose-like Bi2WO6 microspheres were synthesized through a hydrothermal route. ► Thiourea and acetic acid were used as complexing agents. ► The microspheres were constructed by many nanoflakes with nanocrystals on them. ► The structure was formed through a hierarchical assembly process. ► The photocatalyst showed excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance.