Visible-light-driven photocatalyst of Bi2WO6 nanoparticles prepared via amorphous complex precursor and photocatalytic properties

The visible-light-driven photocatalyst Bi₂WO₆ nanoparticles have been prepared by calcining amorphous complex precursor at a relatively low temperature of above 450 ^oC. The effects of calcination temperature and time on the structures and properties of Bi₂WO₆ nanoparticles have been investigated in detail. The photocatalytic activity of the Bi₂WO₆ powders were evaluated by degradation of RhB molecules in water under visible light irradiation (λ>400 nm). The results showed that the particle size and grain size of Bi₂WO₆ increased with the calcination temperature and time. The photocatalytic activity of the best sample was about 8.8 times higher than that of the sample prepared by traditional solid state reaction and the photo-degradations was a zero-order reaction. The best route to enhance the photocatalytic activity of Bi₂WO₆ was to prepare the sample at a lower temperature for a longer time, due to the samples with better crystallization and smaller particle size.