Multi-pathway photoelectron migration in globular flower-like In2O3/AgBr/Bi2WO6 synthesized by microwave-assisted method with enhanced photocatalytic activity

The photocatalyst In2O3/AgBr/Bi2WO6 with visible light response was synthesized using microwave assisted hydrothermal method. The crystal structure, optical properties and surface morphologies of the products were characterized by XRD, UV-vis/DRS, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, XPS and N-2 adsorption-desorption tests. The results indicate that indium exists in the form of oxide and inhibits the growth of Bi2WO6 at (1 3 3) crystal plane. The In2O3/AgBr/Bi2WO6 composite consists of the particles piled up into flower-like spherical structures. In2O3/AgBr/Bi2WO6 exhibits high photocatalytic activity for the Rhodamin B (RhB) degradation under ultraviolet and visible light, and, also, shows steady photocatalytic performance after four times of recycling. Besides, the potential photocatalytic mechanism of In2O3/AgBr/Bi2WO6 was proposed according to the energy band structure of the composite, and the vital role of multi-pathway photogenerated electron migration during photocatalysis process was explained. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.