Synthesis of Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst and high degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B (RhB) by new photocatalytic materials.

Design/methodology/approach

Binary Z-scheme g-C₃N₄/Bi₂WO₆ photocatalytic material was synthesized by the one-step hydrothermal reaction. The construction of Z-scheme heterojunction led to the rapid separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, which would degrade RhB into small molecular substances to achieve the purpose of degradation.

Findings

It was found that Bi₂WO₆/25%g-C₃N₄ displayed the highest photocatalytic activity, which was about 1.44 and 1.34 times higher than that of pure Bi₂WO₆ and g-C₃N₄, respectively. According to the trapping experiments, the superoxide radical (·O²⁻) was the major active species of the RhB decomposition in Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ catalysts.

Originality/value

The successful synthesis of Z-scheme Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ provides new ideas and references for the design of catalysts with high photocatalytic activity, which should have wide applications in the future.

Citation

Wang, W., Zhang, M., Zhao, B., Liu, L., Han, R. and Wang, N. (2022), "Synthesis of Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst and high degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 51 No. 1, pp. 91-100. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-09-2020-0097