Bandgap-tuned ultra-small SnO2-nanoparticle-decorated 2D-Bi2WO6 nanoplates for visible-light-driven photocatalytic applications

With the rapid rate of industrialization, the emission of effluents represents a serious threat to aquatic living organisms and the environment. Semiconductor-mediated photocatalysis has been highlighted as the most attractive technology for the elimination of pollutants. In this connection, bandgap-tuned ultra-small SnO2-nanoparticle-decorated 2D-Bi2WO6 nanoplates were prepared via the hydrothermal method. The tuning of the bandgap was altered by the thermal annealing procedure. Moreover, we investigated the influence of different bandgaps of SnO2 on the anchoring of the 2D-Bi2WO6 nanoplates and studied their photocatalytic activity through the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The ultra-small SnO2 nanoparticles were highly anchored on the surface of the 2D-Bi2WO6 plates, which resulted in more photon harvesting, improved charge separation, the transfer of photoinduced charge carriers, and the alteration of band positions towards the visible region of light. Furthermore, the anchored SnO2 nanoparticles improved the performance of the photocatalytic activity of 2D-Bi2WO6 nanoplates by more than 2.7 times.