Synthesis of hierarchical Bi2WO6 microspheres with high visible-light-driven photocatalytic activities by sol–gel-hydrothermal route

• Hierarchical Bi2WO6 microspheres were synthesized by sol–gel-hydrothermal route.
• The as-prepared Bi2WO6 exhibited enhanced absorption in the visible light region.
• The hierarchical Bi2WO6 microspheres exhibited high photocatalytic activities.

Bi2WO6 samples with hierarchical microspheres structures built by higher order 2D nanoplate alignment were successfully synthesized by sol–gel-hydrothermal route. The structures and morphologies of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra indicated that as-prepared Bi2WO6 with hierarchical microspheres structures had enhanced absorption in both UV and visible light areas. Photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. Due to the unique morphology and porous structure, the hierarchical Bi2WO6 microspheres exhibited better photocatalytic activities than that of the Bi2WO6 prepared by hydrothermal routes.