The enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of nanosheet-like Bi2WO6 obtained by acid treatment for the degradation of rhodamine B

Bi2WO6 samples were fabricated by chemical solution decomposition (CSD) method and nanosheet-like Bi2WO6 samples could be obtained by concentrated nitric acid treatment at 70 degrees C for 20 min. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. Photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The temperature of acid treatment obviously influenced morphology and the visible light photocatalytic activity of the Bi2WO6 samples. The nanosheet-like Bi2WO6 photocatalysts obtained by acid treatment exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. Crown Copyright (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.