One-step synthesis of a sulfur doped Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 composite with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

• A novel S doped Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 composites was proposed.
• The as-prepared composites were successfully synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal route.
• The as-prepared composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for RhB.

In this study, S doped Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 composites were successfully synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal route. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, UV-visible diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results showed that an S doped Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 composite had enhanced absorption in the UV to visible-light region and exhibited decreased radiative recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. The degradation of RhB was occurred by a photocatalytic reaction with S-BWO rather than physical adsorption to the catalyst. It was also found that the S doped Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 composite exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for Rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation.