Abstract
Abstract A series of novel Sm3+/Bi2WO6 nanosheets were successfully fabricated by a facile hydrothermal route. A number of physical chemistry characterizations and photocatalytic performance test showed that the doping of Sm3+ ions into Bi2WO6 caused the lattice contraction of Bi2WO6 crystal, which brought about the enhancement of specific surface area and surface OH groups. Moreover, Sm3+doping strengthened visible light absorption associated with oxygen vacancies. At the same time, oxygen vacancies generated by the substitution of Bi3+ with Sm3+ acted as the positive charge centers to trap the electrons, and consequently increased the life of photogenerated charge carriers. The obtained Sm3+/Bi2WO6 nanosheets were used to degrade different azo dyes, e.g. rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO) and acid orange II (AOII). Sm3+(4at%)/Bi2WO6 sample showed the highest degradation activity, ~3 times of pristine Bi2WO6 with the degradation rate order of AOⅡ ~ RhB > MB > MO. 100% AOⅡ and RhB can be degraded within 40 min visible light irradiation. Electron spin resonance and active species quenching experiments confirmed that superoxide radicals ( O2–) and h+ were the major radicals for dyes degradation in this Sm3+/Bi2WO6 system.
Published Version
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