Visible-light-induced degradation of methylene blue by mesoporous Bi2WO6 plates with worm-like structure

Mesoporous Bi2WO6 plates with worm-like structure have been successfully synthesised by hydrothermal process. The obtained Bi2WO6 plates were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum. The photocatalytic activity of as-synthesised Bi2WO6 plates was determined by degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the high specific surface area, the existence of accessible mesopores channels and the quantum size effect could remarkably improve the photocatalytic activity of mesoporous Bi2WO6 plates.