Novel Bi12ZnO20–Bi2WO6 heterostructures: facile synthesis and excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activities

Abstract

Novel sillenite-type Bi₁₂ZnO₂₀–Bi₂WO₆ heterostructure photocatalysts were successfully prepared via a controllable partial precipitate conversion strategy, employing previously-prepared Bi₂WO₆ nanosheets as precursors of Bi³⁺. The phases and morphologies of the products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Compared to the sample (Bi₁₂ZnO₂₀ + Bi₂WO₆) obtained by physical mixing technology and the single-component photocatalyst (Bi₁₂ZnO₂₀ and Bi₂WO₆), such sillenite-type Bi₁₂ZnO₂₀–Bi₂WO₆ heterostructures exhibited higher visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity, which could be ascribed to matching band positions and intimate interfacial contact between different components that could benefit the efficient separation of photo-generated carriers.