Bi2WO6 with significantly enhanced photocatalytic activities by nitrogen doping

The nitrogen-doped Bi2WO6 were synthesized via a facile hydrothermall process. Systematic analysis of the photocatalytic activities of N-doped Bi2WO6 photocatalysts with a wide range of doping levels was carried out. The effects of nitrogen doping on the crystal structure, optical properties, and photocatalytic activities of the Bi2WO6 catalyst were investigated. The results showed that the doped samples exhibit 2-3 times higher photocatalytic activities than the undoped one, which was strongly dependent on the N-doping level. Close investigation revealed that doping Bi2WO6 with N could not only broaden the range of light adsorption in the visible region, but also inhibit the photogenerated electron-hole recombination losses and increased the transfer rate, which might be ascribed to the significantly enhanced photocatalytic activities. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.