Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Study of photocatalytic activities of Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for catalytic, photoelectrochemical and sensor applications
  • Published:
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using fast microwave assisted method. The photocatalytic activities of Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites were evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible irradiation. The optimal BiVO4 content of 30% was observed for improving the photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites, and the mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement was investigated. Our results suggest that for the Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites, particle surface area plays the most important role for improving photocatalytic activity, and electron–hole recombination rate plays more important role than amount of light absorbed by nanocomposites for improving photocatalytic activity.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Feteira A, Sinclair DC (2008) Microwave dielectric properties of low firing temperature Bi2W2O9 ceramics. J Am Ceram Soc 91:1338–1341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Murugan GS, Varma K (2001) Dielectric, linear and non-linear optical properties of lithium borate–bismuth tungstate glasses and glass-ceramics. J Non-Cryst Solids 279:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Ahn Y, Son JY (2016) Ferroelectric properties of highly a-oriented polycrystalline Bi2WO6 thin films grown on glass substrates. AIP Adv 6:105008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Phu ND, Hoang LH, Chen X-B, Kong M-H, Wen H-C, Chou WC (2015) Study of photocatalytic activities of Bi2WO6 nanoparticles synthesized by fast microwave-assisted method. J Alloys Compd 647:123–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Huang Y, Ai Z, Ho W, Chen M, Lee S (2010) Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis synthesis of porous Bi2WO6 microspheres and their visible-light-induced photocatalytic removal of NO. J Phys Chem C 114:6342–6349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Amano F, Nogami K, Ohtani B (2009) Visible light-responsive bismuth tungstate photocatalysts: effects of hierarchical architecture on photocatalytic activity. J Phys Chem C 113:1536–1542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhao G, Liu S, Lu Q, Xu F, Sun H (2013) Fabrication of electrospun Bi2WO6 microbelts with enhanced visible photocatalytic degradation activity. J Alloys Compd 578:12–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Wu D, Zhu H, Zhang C, Chen L (2010) Novel synthesis of bismuth tungstate hollow nanospheres in water–ethanol mixed solvent. Chem Commun 46:7250–7252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Ren J, Wang W, Shang M, Sun S, Gao E (2011) Heterostructured bismuth molybdate composite: preparation and improved photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 3:2529–2533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Zhang Z, Wang W, Wang L, Sun S (2012) Enhancement of visible-light photocatalysis by coupling with narrow-band-gap semiconductor: a case study on Bi2S3/Bi2WO6. ACS ApplMater Interfaces 4:593–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Gui M-S, Zhang W-D, Chang Y-Q, Yu Y-X (2012) One-step hydrothermal preparation strategy for nanostructured WO3/Bi2WO6 heterojunction with high visible light photocatalytic activity. Chem Eng J 197:283–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Li X, Huang R, Hu Y, Chen Y, Liu W, Yuan R, Li Z (2012) A templated method to Bi2WO6 hollow microspheres and their conversion to double-shell Bi2O3/Bi2WO6 hollow microspheres with improved photocatalytic performance. Inorg Chem 51:6245–6250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Li Z-Q, Chen X-T, Xue Z-L (2013) Microwave-assisted synthesis and photocatalytic properties of flower-like Bi2WO6 and Bi2O3–Bi2WO6 composite. J Colloid Interface Sci 394:69–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Wei Z, Zhu Y (2016) Synthesis and performance enhancement for Bi2WO6 as high-activity visible-light-driven photocatalysts. In: Yamashita H, Li H (eds) Nanostructured photocatalysts. Springer, pp 359–389

  15. Fan H, Jiang T, Li H, Wang D, Wang L, Zhai J, He D, Wang P, Xie T (2012) Effect of BiVO4 crystalline phases on the photoinduced carriers behavior and photocatalytic activity. J Phys Chem C 116:2425–2430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhang L, Chen D, Jiao X (2006) Monoclinic structured BiVO4 nanosheets: hydrothermal preparation, formation mechanism, and coloristic and photocatalytic properties. J Phys Chem B 110:2668–2673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Shang M, Wang W, Ren J, Sun S, Zhang L (2010) A novel BiVO4 hierarchical nanostructure: controllable synthesis, growth mechanism, and application in photocatalysis. Cryst Eng Comm 12:1754–1758

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Phu ND, Hoang LH, Vu PK, Chen X-B, Wen HC, Chou WC (2016) Control of crystal phase of BiVO4 nanoparticles synthesized by microwave assisted method. J Mater Sci Mater El 27:6452–6456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Guo M, He Q, Wang W, Wu J, Wang W (2016) Fabrication of BiVO4: effect of structure and morphology on photocatalytic activity and its methylene blue decomposition mechanism. J Wuhan Univ Technol Mater Sci Ed 31:791–798

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Lopes OF, Carvalho KT, Nogueira AE, Avansi W, Ribeiro C (2016) Controlled synthesis of BiVO4 photocatalysts: evidence of the role of heterojunctions in their catalytic performance driven by visible-light. Appl Catal B 188:87–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Ju P, Wang P, Li B, Fan H, Ai S, Zhang D, Wang Y (2014) A novel calcined Bi2WO6/BiVO4 heterojunction photocatalyst with highly enhanced photocatalytic activity. Chem Eng J 236:430–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang X, Gong Y, Dong X, Zhang X, Ma C, Shi F (2012) Fabrication and efficient visible light-induced photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6/BiVO4 heterojunction. Mater Chem Phys 136:472–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Geng Y, Zhang P, Kuang S (2014) Fabrication and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activities of BiVO4/Bi2WO6composites. RSC Adv. 4:46054–46059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Fan H, Wang D, Liu Z, Xie T, Lin Y (2015) Self-assembled BiVO4/Bi2WO6 microspheres: synthesis, photoinduced charge transfer properties and photocatalytic activities. Dalton Trans 44:11725–11731

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Chen L, Meng D, Wu X, Wang A, Wang J, Yu M, Liang Y (2016) Enhanced visible light photocatalytic performances of self-assembled hierarchically structured BiVO4/Bi2WO6heterojunction composites with different morphologies. RSC Adv 6:52300–52309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Van Hanh P, Hoang LH, Van Hai P, Van Minh N, Chen X-B, Yang I-S (2013) Crystal quality and optical property of MnWO4 nanoparticles synthesized by microwave-assisted method. J Phys Chem Solids 74:426–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Phu N, Ngo D, Hoang L, Luong N, Chau N, Hai N (2011) Crystallization process and magnetic properties of amorphous iron oxide nanoparticles. J Phys D Appl Phys 44:345002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Ding K, Miao Z, Liu Z, Zhang Z, Han B, An G, Miao S, Xie Y (2007) Facile synthesis of high quality TiO2 nanocrystals in ionic liquid via a microwave-assisted process. J Am Chem Soc 129:6362–6363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Hoang LH, Van Hanh P, Phu ND, Chen X-B, Chou WC (2015) Synthesis and characterization of MnWO4 nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous silica SBA-15 by fast microwave-assisted method. J Phys Chem Solids 77:122–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Ortelli S, Blosi M, Albonetti S, Vaccari A, Dondi M, Costa A (2014) TiO2 based nano-photocatalysis immobilized on cellulose substrates. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 276:58–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Sarkar D, Maiti U, Ghosh C, Chattopadhyay K (2012) Excellent photocatalytic activity of mixed phase ultra slim TiO2 nanofibers for the degradation of organic wastes. Ad Sci Lett 6:127–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Sakkas V, Arabatzis I, Konstantinou I, Dimou A, Albanis T, Falaras P (2004) Metolachlor photocatalytic degradation using TiO2 photocatalysts. Appl Catal B 49:195–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Chen X-B, Kelley DF (2006) Photophysics of GaSe/InSe nanoparticle heterojunctions. J Phys Chem B 110:25259–25265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Achermann M, Petruska MA, Kos S, Smith DL, Koleske DD, Klimov VI (2004) Energy-transfer pumping of semiconductor nanocrystals using an epitaxial quantum well. Nature 429:642–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Xu M, Liang T, Shi M, Chen H (2013) Graphene-like two-dimensional materials. Chem Rev 113:3766–3798

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Huang H, Ke S, Wang B, Long H, Wang K, Lu P (2017) Numerical study on plasmonic absorption enhancement by a rippled graphene sheet. J Lightwave Technol 35:320–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Zhao D, Wang Z-q, Long H, Wang K, Wang B, Lu P-x (2017) Optical bistability in defective photonic multilayers doped by graphene. Opt Quant Electron 49:163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Wang F, Qin C, Wang B, Long H, Wang K, Lu P (2017) Rabi oscillations of plasmonic supermodes in graphene multilayer arrays. IEEE J Sel Top Quant Elect 23:1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Yu J, Xiong J, Cheng B, Yu Y, Wang J (2005) Hydrothermal preparation and visible-light photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6 powders. J Solid State Chem 178:1968–1972

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Xiaoming G, Jing W, Feng F, Wenhong L (2012) Preparation of Cu-BiVO4 and Its Photocatalytic Properties for Desulfurization of Model Oil. China Pet Process Pe Technol 14:17–23

    Google Scholar 

  41. Zhou L, Wang W, Zhang L (2007) Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of visible-light-induced Bi2MO6 (M=W, Mo) photocatalysts. J Mol Catal A Chem 268:195–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Liu W, Yu Y, Cao L, Su G, Liu X, Zhang L, Wang Y (2010) Synthesis of monoclinic structured BiVO4 spindly microtubes in deep eutectic solvent and their application for dye degradation. J Hazard Mater 181:1102–1108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Amano F, Nogami K, Tanaka M, Ohtani B (2010) Correlation between surface area and photocatalytic activity for acetaldehyde decomposition over bismuth tungstate particles with a hierarchical structure. Langmuir 26:7174–7180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Cheng H, Wang J, Zhao Y, Han X (2014) Effect of phase composition, morphology, and specific surface area on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanomaterials. RSC Adv 4:47031–47038

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Tian G, Fu H, Jing L, Tian C (2009) Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of stable nanocrystalline TiO2 with high crystallinity and large surface area. J Hazard Mater 161:1122–1130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Zhang C, Zhu Y (2005) Synthesis of square Bi2WO6 nanoplates as high-activity visible-light-driven photocatalysts. Chem Mater 17:3537–3545

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Vietnam’s National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) grant 103.02-2016.21. X. B. Chen acknowledges the support by Wuhan Institute of Technology.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physics, Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuan thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nguyen Dang Phu & Luc Huy Hoang

  2. School of Science and Laboratory of Optical Information Technology, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430205, China

    Peng-Cheng Guo & Xiang-Bai Chen

  3. Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsin-Chu, 30010, Taiwan

    Wu Ching Chou

Authors
  1. Nguyen Dang Phu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luc Huy Hoang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peng-Cheng Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiang-Bai Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Wu Ching Chou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Luc Huy Hoang or Xiang-Bai Chen.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dang Phu, N., Huy Hoang, L., Guo, PC. et al. Study of photocatalytic activities of Bi2WO6/BiVO4 nanocomposites. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 83, 640–646 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4450-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4450-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation