Porous and visible-light-driven p-n heterojunction constructed by Bi2O3 nanosheets and WO3 microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Bi2O3/WO3 porous microspheres were constructed by the p-type Bi2O3 nanosheets firmly embedded in the n-type WO3 microspheres. These composites were systematically characterized by various analytical tools such as XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-DRS, PEC, PL and EIS. Comparing with bare Bi2O3 and WO3 samples, the modified Bi2O3/WO3 composites demonstrate superior photocatalytic efficiency for the photo-degradation of MG dye under visiblelight illustration with excellent stability and repeatability, which can be ascribed to the coupling of p-n junction between the p-type Bi2O3 nanosheets and n-type WO3 microspheres, as well as the porous three-dimensional hierarchical structure. Based on the radical capturing experiments and theoretical analysis, the mechanism for the improved visible-light photocatalytic performance was proposed, which is significant for the theoretical study and application o in environmental remediation.

Automated summary

Bi2O3/WO3 porous microspheres were constructed by embedding p-type Bi2O3 nanosheets in n-type WO3 microspheres, showing superior photocatalytic efficiency under visible light. The improved performance was attributed to the p-n junction between Bi2O3 and WO3, as well as the porous three-dimensional hierarchical structure. The mechanism was further elucidated through radical capturing experiments and theoretical analysis, contributing to the theoretical study and application in environmental remediation.