A composite photocatalyst (Bi3.84W0.16O6.24–Bi2WO6) containing Bi, W and O elements was prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. Various characterization methods such as X-ray powder diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to investigate the structure and optical properties. The activities of the samples were evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The results showed that when the pH of the precursor solution is 12.3, and a hydrothermal treatment at 140 °C for 20 h was used, the prepared sample shows the mixed phases of Bi3.84W0.16O6.24 and Bi2WO6. The Bi3.84W0.16O6.24–Bi2WO6 composite exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with single Bi2WO6 or Bi3.84W0.16O6.24. The rate constant of Bi3.84W0.16O6.24–Bi2WO6 is about 5 times that of Bi2WO6. It is proposed that the increased photocatalytic activity may be attributed to the formation of a heterojunction between Bi3.84W0.16O6.24 and Bi2WO6, which suppresses the recombination of photoexcited electron–hole pairs.
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