Study of photocatalytic activities of Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites

Abstract

The Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using fast microwave assisted method. The photocatalytic activities of Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites were evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible irradiation. The optimal BiVO4 content of 30% was observed for improving the photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites, and the mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement was investigated. Our results suggest that for the Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites, particle surface area plays the most important role for improving photocatalytic activity, and electron-hole recombination rate plays more important role than amount of light absorbed by nanocomposites for improving photocatalytic activity. [GRAPHICS]