Microwave-assisted solution-phase preparation of flower-like Bi2WO6 and its visible-light-driven photocatalytic properties

Abstract

We report here the preparation of flower-like Bi₂WO₆via a simple, rapid, microwave-assisted solution-phase process. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were employed to characterize the phase and morphologies of the products. The time-dependent experiments showed an Ostwald ripening mechanism in the crystal growth process. The as-prepared Bi₂WO₆ was able to efficiently degrade Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. Calcination was found to decrease the photocatalytic performance of flower-like Bi₂WO₆.