Synthesis, characterization and visible-light photocatalytic properties of Bi2WO6 and Bi2W2O9 obtained by co-precipitation method

The bismuth tungstates Bi2WO6 and Bi2W2O9 were prepared by co-precipitation method at different calcination temperatures. The oxides were characterized by different techniques such as simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), nitrogen physisorption, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activity of such bismuth tungstates was evaluated by degradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The degradation of the dye followed a first-order reaction with k′ = 5.6 × 10−3 min−1 and t1/2 = 124 min for the best sample, which was Bi2W2O9 prepared at 700 °C.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (119 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ The bismuth tungstates Bi2WO6 and Bi2W2O9 were prepared by co-precipitation method. ▶ The presence of NH4NO3 in the precursors plays an important role in the final properties of the bismuth tungstates. ▶ The samples prepared by co-precipitation showed a better degradation of the rhodamine B dye than the samples of solid-state reaction. ▶ Two possible mechanisms of degradation of the dye are explained according other reports.