One‐step hydrothermal synthesis of BiOI / Bi2WO6 hierarchical heterostructure with highly photocatalytic activity

Abstract BACKGROUND Chlorophenols (CPs) are organic pollutants and are most widespread in the aqueous environment. Photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds has been extensively studied as a potential technology for water treatment. In this study, BiOI/Bi2WO6 hierarchical heterostructure with flower‐like morphology was synthesized by a facile method using a one‐step hydrothermal approach. The catalytic activities of the photocatalysts were tested by the degradation of 2,4‐DCP under visible‐light irradiation and the photocatalysis mechanism of BiOI/Bi2WO6 was investigated. RESULTS The as‐prepared catalysts exhibited the characteristic peaks of BiOI and Bi2WO6. The photocatalytic activities, which were evaluated by degradation of 2,4‐DCP under visible light irradiation, were enhanced significantly by BiOI/Bi2WO6 hierarchical heterostructures with different molar ratios of BiOI to Bi2WO6. CONCLUSIONS BiOI/Bi2WO6 hierarchical heterostructure significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activity. The optimum percentage of BiOI was 10%. The optimal initial pH value of 2,4‐DCP was determined to be pH 8. The possible reaction mechanisms were discussed on the basis of the calculated energy band positions. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry