Synthesis of BiFeWO6/WO3 nanocomposite and its enhanced photocatalytic activity towards degradation of dye under irradiation of light

The present study demonstrates the synthesis of pure bismuth iron tungstate (BiFeWO6) and tungsten oxide (WO3) nanorods by simple co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods respectively. Likewise, BiFeWO6/WO3 nanocomposites of different compositions (1, 2 and 3 wt %) were fabricated via convenient wet-chemical route. The fabricated BiFeWO6/WO3 nanocomposites were investigated by numerous methods like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) studies. Moreover, the photodegradation efficiency of the fabricated composites was demonstrated by photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light illumination. In particular, photodegradation results revealed the improved photocatalytic performance of 1% BiFeWO6/WO3 than the independent WO3. This observed enhancement was credited to the restricted recombination rate of charge carriers by the composites leads to their separation. The as-synthesized BiFeWO6/WO3 photocatalytic materials were found to possess a reasonably good photostability, reusability and superior photocatalytic performances than the pure WO3. Therefore, it can be used as a potential photocatalysts towards elimination of various organic pollutants present in aqueous environment. Further, a schematic charge transfer mechanism was also proposed in the present study.