Synthesis and characterization of BN/Bi2WO6 composite photocatalysts with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Bi₂WO₆ modified with few-layer BN was synthesized by an impregnation method. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The as-prepared BN/Bi₂WO₆ photocatalysts exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) than the pure Bi₂WO₆. The 3 wt% BN/Bi₂WO₆ photocatalyst showed the best photocatalytic activity and high stability after five runs under visible light irradiation. The enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the synergetic effect of few-layer BN and Bi₂WO₆.