Three-dimensionally Hierarchical Bi2WO6 Architectures with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity.

Three-dimensionally hierarchical Bi₂WO₆ architectures have been produced via a facile and economical hydrothermal method without any template or surfactant. This architecture with flower-like morphology is assembled by numbers of intercrossed nanosheets. Moreover, different Bi₂WO₆ nanostructures including multilayered disks and irregular nanoplates can also be produced by simply adjusting the pH value of the precursor solution. Importantly, this kind of hierarchically structured Bi₂WO₆ architecture exhibits a much better photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of rhodamine B than that of conventional Bi₂WO₆ multilayered disks and nanoplates. This enhanced photocatalytic performance is mainly attributed to the large specific surface areas, special structural features and high capability of absorbed oxygen species. The present work offers an effective approach for the further improvement of photocatalytic activity by designing a desirable micro/nanoarchitecture. Three-dimensionally hierarchical Bi₂WO₆ architectures assembled by nanosheets have been fabricated by a simple and economical hydrothermal route, without any template or surfactant. Especially, the hierarchicallystructured Bi₂WO₆ architectures display remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamine B than that of conventional Bi₂WO₆ multilayered disks and nanoplates. This enhanced photocatalytic performance is mainly attributed to the large specific surface areas, special structural features, and high capability of absorbed oxygen species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]