Transforming Anodized WO3 Films into Visible-Light-Active Bi2WO6 Photoelectrodes by Hydrothermal Treatment

We directly transformed anodized tungsten oxide film (WO3·2H2O) into bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) by substituting the intercalated water molecules with [Bi2O2](2+) in a hydrothermal treatment. The resultant Bi2WO6 was readily used as an electrode to produce anodic photocurrent in H2 evolution on the Pt counter electrode observed under visible light irradiation.