A Bi₂WO₆/ZIF-8 composite nanomaterial: enhanced photocatalytic performance

Photocatalytic technology has emerged as a research hotspot, with the selection of photocatalytic materials being crucial to its success. Bismuth tungstate exhibits excellent visible-light photocatalytic activity as a photocatalyst; however, its application in pollutant removal is constrained by its low specific surface area and rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers. This study employs a solvothermal method to synthesize Bi₂WO₆ materials and prepares a Bi₂WO₆/ZIF-8 composite nanomaterial to enhance the photocatalytic performance of bismuth tungstate. The structure and morphology of the catalysts were characterized using XRD, SEM, XPS, FTIR, and BET techniques. The photocatalytic properties were evaluated by measuring UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence, electrochemical impedance, and photocurrent density. The visible-light-driven catalytic degradation of bromocresol purple (BCP) was assessed. Results indicate the successful synthesis of the Bi₂WO₆/ZIF-8 composite nanomaterial, achieving a 94.65% degradation rate for BCP. Under visible light, the photocatalytic reaction rate constants of Bi₂WO₆/ZIF-8 were 3.91 times and 21.56 times higher than those of Bi₂WO₆ and ZIF-8, respectively. Consequently, the Bi₂WO₆/ZIF-8 composite nanomaterial can effectively remove dyes from wastewater.