Ag3PO4/Bi2WO6 hierarchical heterostructures with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity for the degradation of phenol

The Ag3PO4/Bi2WO6 hierarchical heterostructures were prepared by a combination of hydrothermal technique and in situ precipitation method for the first time. The Ag3PO4/Bi2WO6 hierarchical heterostructures displayed enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity against phenol. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the effective separation of photogenerated carriers driven by the photoinduced potential difference generated at the Ag3PO4/Bi2WO6 heterojunction interface. Repetitive tests showed that the Ag3PO4/Bi2WO6 hierarchical heterostructures maintained high catalytic activity over several cycles, and it had a better regeneration capability under mild conditions. (C) 2013 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.