Nano-structured bismuth tungstate with controlled morphology: Fabrication, modification, environmental application and mechanism insight

Bismuth tungstate with different structures and morphologies show different properties. The structure and morphology have been proven to be critical factors to tune the electronic properties to influence photocatalytic performance. Notably, nano-structured bismuth tungstate were found to exhibit high activity in photocatalytic degradation process. Controllable fabrication on nano structures with desired morphology is indispensable to achieve the related properties well. However, a review that declare the correlation between the property and the fabrication, structure and morphology of bismuth tungstate is still absent. Therefore, we firstly summarize a series of recent fabrication methods for various dimensional nano structures of bismuth tungstate. Then the modification of nano-structured BWO to improve the photocatalytic performance are presented, including morphological manipulation, doping or substitution, solid solution fabrication, and compound formation. The mechanism of photocatalytic oxidation and reduction process over nano-structured bismuth tungstate is also explored, especially the role of radical species. Additionally, advanced environmental application are summarized. Finally, unresolved challenges and potential applications of nano-structured bismuth tungstate are presented for future research directions.