Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis of BiOBr/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic performance

BiOBr/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. In this research, pure tetragonal BiOBr in the shape of circular nanoplates, pure orthorhombic Bi2WO6 with well-defined flake-like structure and nanocomposites of the mixed phases and morphologies were detected. Their photocatalytic performance was estimated through the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) induced by a visible radiation of Xe lamp. The 20 wt% BiOBr/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites have the best performance for photodegradation of RhB of 97.5% within 60 min and are the promising stable material for wastewater treatment.