Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025
09:09
A Facile Synthetic Method to Obtain Bismuth Oxyiodide Microspheres Highly Functional for the Photocatalytic Processes of Water Depuration
Published on: March 29, 2019
7.8K
Bismuth Tungstate Nanoplates-Vis Responsive Photocatalyst for Water Oxidation
Tamer M Khedr1,2, Said M El-Sheikh2, Ewa Kowalska1,3
1Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University, N21, W10, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 9, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a simple method to create bismuth tungstate (Bi₂WO₆) nanoplates for visible-light-responsive water oxidation. The optimized BWO-30 material shows enhanced photocatalytic activity due to improved crystallinity and light absorption.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photocatalysis
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Visible-light-responsive (VLR) semiconductor materials are crucial for sustainable water oxidation.
- Bismuth tungstate (Bi₂WO₆; BWO) exhibits promising properties for photocatalysis, including light absorption and redox potential.
- Controlling the morphology and crystallinity of BWO is key to optimizing its photocatalytic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize two-dimensional (2D) bismuth tungstate (BWO) nanoplates using a facile solvothermal method.
- To investigate the effect of synthesis time on the structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of BWO.
- To identify the key factors contributing to the enhanced photocatalytic activity of BWO for water oxidation.
Main Methods:
- Solvothermal synthesis of BWO nanoplates with varying reaction times (10-40 h).
- Characterization using XRD, FE-SEM, STEM, TEM, HRTEM, BET, UV/vis DRS, and PL spectroscopy.
- Evaluation of photocatalytic activity for water oxidation under UV and visible light irradiation, using P25 as a reference.
Main Results:
- BWO crystals grew anisotropically along the {001} plane, forming 2D nanoplates, with properties tunable by synthesis time.
- The BWO-30 sample, synthesized for 30 hours, exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under both UV and visible light.
- The optimal BWO-30 sample showed the smallest specific surface area, largest crystal size, efficient photoabsorption (smallest bandgap), and improved crystallinity, reducing charge carrier recombination.
Conclusions:
- A facile, template-free solvothermal method can successfully produce 2D mesoporous BWO nanoplates.
- Optimized crystallinity, efficient photoabsorption, and 2D mesoporous structure are critical for high photocatalytic performance.
- Nanostructured BWO is a promising candidate for photocatalytic applications, particularly under natural solar irradiation.
