SYNTHESIS OF CROSS Bi2 WO6 MICROWAFERS WITH ENHANCED PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY UNDER VISIBLE LIGHT IRRADIATION

Novel cross Bi2 WO6 microwafers have been fabricated by a facile acetone-assisted solvothermal method in high quantity. The structure characterizations of the microwafers were investigated in detail by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the orthorhombic phase of Bi2 WO6 with high crystallinity can be obtained and each microwafer is polycrystalline in nature and organized by the nanoflake subunits. UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectrum of the prepared Bi2 WO6 microwafers demonstrates that they have absorption in the visible light region. The photocatalytic activity of cross Bi2 WO6 microwafers toward (Rhodamine B) RhB degradation under visible light was investigated, and it was found to be significantly better than that of Bi2 WO6 sample prepared by solid-state reaction (SSR-Bi2 WO6).