Preparation of a Bi2WO6 catalyst and its catalytic performance in an alpha alkylation reaction under visible light irradiation

Abstract

In this study, different types of Bi2WO6 catalysts were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using Bi(NO3)3•5H2O and Na2WO4•2H2O as precursors, and various characterization methods, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area measurements, and photoluminescence (PL) analysis, were used to characterize the morphologies, structures, and valence states of the catalysts. Then, the catalysts were used to catalyze the alpha alkylation reaction of benzyl alcohol and acetophenone to obtain 1,3-diphenyl-1-propenone under visible light irradiation, and the photocatalytic reaction conditions were optimized. To expand the applicable range of alpha alkylation, the influence of different alcohols and different ketone derivatives on the photocatalytic reaction was determined. In addition, the effects of the wavelength and intensity of the light used were also important, and the recyclability of the catalyst and active species (such as superoxide radicals (O2−), holes (h+) and electrons (e−)) produced during the reaction were tested.