Synthesis and Characterization of Bismuth Tungstate and Molybdate Nanostructures for Photocatalysis

Abstract

In this research, Bi2WO6 and Bi2MoO6 nanostructures were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal and solvothermal reactions under different conditions: effects of pH on the synthesis of Bi2WO6 hierarchical flowers, reaction temperature and length of reaction time on phase and morphology of Bi2MoO6 nanostructures, different contents of Ag doped in Bi2WO6 hierarchical flowers, Ag/Bi2WO6 nanostructure composites and Dy doped in Bi2MoO6 nanostructures. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. They revealed the flower-like Bi2WO6, Ag/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites, Ag doped Bi2WO6 hierarchical flowers, orthorhombic Bi2MoO6 nanoplates and Dy-doped Bi2MoO6 nanoplates. In addition, the photocatalytic activities for the degradation of Rhodamine B under Xe light irradiation was investigated and discussed.