Photoreduction of non-noble metal Bi on the surface of Bi2WO6 for enhanced visible light photocatalysis

In this report, Bi2WO6-Bi composite was prepared through an in situ photoreduction method and was characterized systematically by X-Ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The as-prepared Bi2WO6-Bi maintains the same crystal structure with the pristine Bi2WO6 regardless of some surface defects. Nevertheless, these surface defects result in the change of surface oxygen adsorption mode from hydroxyl to molecular oxygen on Bi2WO6. Photocatalytic activity over Bi2WO6-Bi is 2.4 times higher than that of Bi2WO6 towards the degradation of organic dye Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation (lambda > 420 nm). A deep study shows that cleavage of benzene ring is the main pathway for RhB degradation over Bi2WO6, but both the benzene cleavage and de-ethylation pathway coexist for RhB decomposition in the presence of Bi2WO6-Bi as the photocatalyst. Photoelectrochemical study including transient photocurrent tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements shows that Bi2WO6-Bi could facilitate the charge transfer process compared to Bi2WO6. These data above has indicated a new insight into the promotion mechanism based on Bi related heterostructures. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.