Abstract
A Bi2WO6photocatalyst modified with graphene was synthesized in a two-step template-free hydrothermal process. The prepared samples were characterized to explore their properties. The photocatalytic activities of the prepared samples were investigated by degrading dye model, Rhodamine B (RhB), under visible light irradiation. This showed that the modified Bi2WO6photocatalyst with 1.2 wt% of graphene greatly improved photocatalytic activity during the degradation of dye pollutants, compared to pure Bi2WO6. The enhancement can be interpreted as the integrated effects of ultrahigh charge carriers’ mobility and high adsorption of RhB on graphene. Additionally, effects including catalysts dosage amount, pH of RhB solution, and temperature of reactor on the photocatalytically degrading RhB were also studied and discussed.
Highlights
The rapid developments in the field of nanotechnology in the 21st century have novel avenues for the study of semiconductor photocatalytic technology, especially relating to environmental and energy issues
We reported the graphene modified Bi2WO6 which was prepared by the hydrothermal method
To reduce the GO in the composite, the mixture was transferred to a Teflon-lined stainless-steel autoclave at 70% and heated in an electric oven at 140∘C for 6 hours and gradually cooled down to room temperature
Summary
The rapid developments in the field of nanotechnology in the 21st century have novel avenues for the study of semiconductor photocatalytic technology, especially relating to environmental and energy issues. This will be an ideal, broad prospect for environmental pollution control based on visible light induced irradiation for the unique properties of nanometer photocatalytic technology. Photoinduced electrons are migrated to restrict the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes [14] Together, these three approaches will enhance Bi2WO6’s response to visible light, resulting in greatly improving visible light photocatalytic activity. Graphene has been widely applied in the area of photocatalysis, owing to its ultrahigh charge carriers mobility and high adsorption property to organic molecules with benzene ring structure. Composites including TiO2, [16], ZnO [17], and BiVO4 [18] modified by graphene were reported with enhanced photocatalytic activities in degrading organic pollutants. The UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectrum of the samples was analyzed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Thermo Evolution 300) equipped with an accessory for analyzing powder samples
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