Bi2WO6/SiO2 photonic crystal film with high photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Immobilized Bi2WO6 thin films were successfully synthesized by direct chemical deposition on SiO2 photonic crystals. The as-prepared Bi2WO6/SiO2 photonic crystal films exhibited excellent photocatalytic decomposition of RhB and phenol under visible light irradiation. Almost 99% of the RhB molecules were degraded within 60 min and 64% of the phenol molecules were degraded within 2 h along with the sharp decrease of total organic carbon (TOC) under visible light irradiation. Comparative studies indicated that the photocatalytic activity of the Bi2WO6/SiO2 films is about 3 times higher than that of ordinary Bi2WO6 films under the same conditions. The transmission spectrum of the Bi2WO6/SiO2 photonic crystal films exhibited an apparent transmission dip around 550 nm originated from its photonic crystal structure. The different photocatalytic performance between the ordinary Bi2WO6 film and the Bi2WO6/SiO2 photonic crystal film may be ascribed to their different film structures.

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► Bi2WO6/SiO2 photonic crystal film is firstly realized.
► It is used for photocatalytic oxidation of organic contaminants.
► Its photocatalytic activity is significantly better than ordinary Bi2WO6 film.
► Its high photocatalytic performance is ascribed to its special film structure.