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Facile preparation of flower-like Bi2WO6/CdS heterostructured photocatalyst with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for Cr(VI) reduction

  • Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles, fibers, colloids, composites, etc.)
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Abstract

Visible-light-driven CdS loaded flower-like Bi2WO6 (Bi2WO6/CdS) heterostructured photocatalyst with surface-enrich CdS nanoparticles were prepared successfully by using a facile two-step method. The as-prepared photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum. The band gaps of the samples were estimated based on diffuse reflectance spectrum results. The as-prepared Bi2WO6/CdS heterostructured photocatalyst was used as catalysts in reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) under visible light irradiation, and enhanced photocatalytic activities were observed as compared to pure flower-like Bi2WO6 and CdS nanoparticles. The origin of the excellent performance of the catalyst as well as the mechanism of photoreduction was discussed. Effective electron–hole separation and variation of band gap due to the formation of type II heterostructure is believed to be responsible to the much improved reaction rate.

Graphical Abstract

Flower-like Bi2WO6/CdS heterostructures was used to photoreduce toxic Cr(VI) to Cr(III) under visible light irradiation. 99% reduction of Cr(VI) could be reached within 10 min. It is found that the heterogenization favors the facilitated interfacial charge transfer and inhibited electron–hole recombination.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21571045).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin, 150025, People’s Republic of China

    Yufang Liu, Shanshan Liu, Tingting Wu, Huiming Lin & Xu Zhang

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  1. Yufang Liu
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  2. Shanshan Liu
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  5. Xu Zhang
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Correspondence to Xu Zhang.

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Liu, Y., Liu, S., Wu, T. et al. Facile preparation of flower-like Bi2WO6/CdS heterostructured photocatalyst with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for Cr(VI) reduction. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 83, 315–323 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4416-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4416-x

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