In situ growing of Bi/Bi2O2CO3 on Bi2WO6 nanosheets for improved photocatalytic performance

Abstract A novel ternary hybrid photocatalyst Bi/Bi2O2CO3/Bi2WO6 is fabricated by a facial one-pot hydrothermal method, through the in situ growth of Bi and Bi2O2CO3 on the surface of 2D Bi2WO6 nanosheets. The Bi/Bi2O2CO3/Bi2WO6 hybrid exhibits the significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity, evaluated by the photo-oxidation of methylene blue (MB) and chlorobenzene. The improved photocatalytic activity is attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of metallic Bi and the formation of the heterojunction among the three components in Bi/Bi2O2CO3/Bi2WO6 hybrid. The SPR effect of Bi nanoparticles leads to the great light response ability to the entire UV–vis light. And the SPR effect of metallic Bi, combined with Bi2O2CO3/Bi2WO6 heterojunction, also facilitates the rapid separation and transferring of the photogenerated charge carries, as well as the efficient suppression of the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.