Constructing 0D Bismuth-Metal Nanosphere Networks on 1D/2D Bi₂WO₆ Heteromorphic Junctions for Efficient...

Semiconductor photocatalysis holds great potential for the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), yet photocatalysts often experience low efficiency due to insufficient surface catalytic active sites, limited light absorption, and poor carrier separation efficiency. Inspired by the structure of Eucalyptus trees, a selective reduction strategy is proposed to grow bismuth nanosphere networks on 1D/2D Bi₂WO₆ (BWO) heteromorphic junctions, which consist of interwoven mesoporous nanofibers (NFs) and nanosheets (NSs). This establishes a synergistic mechanism of "surface active sites-intrinsic defects-carrier separation." Initially, the electrospun BWO precursor NFs are calcined in air, resulting in 2D NSs growing radially along the NFs in an ordered, spaced arrangement to form 1D/2D BWO structures. Subsequently, under H₂/Ar reduction, Bi³⁺ species are preferentially reduced to Bi⁰ along the NF axes and NS corners, forming a dynamically evolved metal-defect regulatory system. The 0D/1D/2D Bi-BWO photocatalyst can rapidly degrade 100% of acetaldehyde and exhibits superior stability over five cycles. Its degradation rate is 3.5 times faster than that of 1D/2D BWO and significantly surpasses traditional BWO. This work presents a novel perspective for designing photocatalysts to efficiently remove VOCs.