Bi2S3 nanoribbons-hybridized {001} facets exposed Bi2WO6 ultrathin nanosheets with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

Bi2S3 nanoribbons were dispersed in situ on Bi2WO6 ultrathin nanosheets with exposed {001} facet via a simple one-set hydrothermal route forming Bi2S3/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions with high active surface, in which the quantity of Bi2S3 nanoribbons was tuned by changing the amount of thiourea in solution. The obtained composites were characterized by various measurements and their photocatalytic activities under visible-light irradiation were also investigated. The 7%-Bi2S3/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activities in degradation of ofloxacin (OFL). A plausible degradation pathway for OFL was proposed via combining LC-MS and GC-MS detections with Gaussian calculations. The probable photocatalytic and formation mechanism of catalysts were discussed on the basis of the obtained experimental results and density function theory (DFT) calculations. An enhanced photocatalytic mechanism attributed to the synergistic effect between the exposed {001} facet and heterojunction with shape-crystalline integrity, significantly improving band structure and visible light absorption, increasing reactive sites, and suppressing the recombination of charges. The findings provide new insights for designing highly active and stable heterojunction catalysts to remove environmental pollutants and promote solar energy conversion efficiently.