Synthesis of Uniform Bi2WO6-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites with Significantly Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction Activity

Abstract

In this work, the uniform B2WO6-reduced graphene oxide (BWO–RGO) nanocomposites are prepared via electrostatic self-assembly of positively charged BWO with negatively charged GO sheets and then the composited GO is reduced via the hydrothermal treatment. The close interfacial contact and strong electronic interaction between BWO and RGO are achieved by this facile and efficient self-assembly route. Photocatalytic degradation of pollutant bisphenol A, selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol, removal of heavy metal ion Cr(VI), and selective reduction of 4-nitrophenol are selected as the probe reactions to investigate the photocatalytic activities of as-obtained BWO–RGO nanocomposites. The experimental results demonstrate the photocatalytic redox activities of BWO–RGO composites are predominantly dependent on the energy levels of photoinduced electrons or holes. In particular, the upshift of the valence band and conduction band edge of catalysts induced by the electronic interaction between BWO and RGO has an ...