Hydrothermal synthesis of Bi2WO6 hierarchical flowers with their photonic and photocatalytic properties

Bi2WO6 hierarchical multi-layered flower-like assemblies were synthesized by a hydrothermal method at 180 °C for 24 h. XRD patterns were specified as pure orthorhombic well-crystallized Bi2WO6 phase. Their FTIR spectra show main absorption bands at 400–1000 cm−1, assigned as the stretching modes of the Bi–O and W–O, and W–O–W bridging stretching modes. SEM analysis shows that the product was 3D hierarchical flower-like assemblies, constructed by orderly arranged 2D layers of nanoplates. The UV–visible absorption shows an absorbance in the ultraviolet region with 3.4 eV band gap. Photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6 hierarchical flowers was determined from the degradation of rhodamine-B by Xe light at 88% for 360 min irradiation.

Graphical abstractDecolorization efficiency of RhB by Bi2WO6 hierarchical flowers during photocatalysis. (a) Dark and (b) bright environments.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Bi2WO6 as a photocatalyst. ► A hydrothermal reaction enables us to synthesize it with hierarchical flowers. ► Its 3.4 eV energy gap was determined from UV–visible absorption. ► A promising material for environmental treatment.