A C3N4/Bi2WO6 organic–inorganic hybrid photocatalyst with a high visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

• Published in: Journal of materials research Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 713 - 720
• Main Authors: Wang, Meng, Fang, Minghao, Tang, Chao, Zhang, Lina, Huang, Zhaohui, Liu, Yan'gai, Wu, Xiaowen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 28.03.2016; Springer International Publishing; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied and Technical Physics; Biomaterials; Crystal structure; Diffraction; Fourier transforms; Inorganic Chemistry; Light; Materials Engineering; Materials research; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Photocatalysis; Pollutants; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrum analysis; Temperature; C3N4; photocatalyst; Bi2WO6; heterojunction
• ISSN: 0884-2914; 2044-5326
• DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2016.72

C3N4/Bi2WO6 heterojunction photocatalysts were successfully synthesized using consecutive hydrothermal and calcination processes. These photocatalysts were characterized using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence measurements. The results of these measurements indicated that the Bi2WO6 nanoparticles were approximately 30–50 nm and uniformly distributed on the surface of C3N4 lamellar structures. The 20% C3N4/Bi2WO6 displayed enhanced visible-light absorption from 432 nm to 468 nm. Photocatalytic tests also revealed that the 20% C3N4/Bi2WO6 photocatalyst exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to that of pure C3N4 and Bi2WO6 under irradiation by visible light (λ > 420 nm). Furthermore, the excellent photocatalytic efficiency of the 20% C3N4/Bi2WO6 photocatalyst was determined to be related to the formation of C3N4/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions, and their presence was found to be generally beneficial for the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs.