Effect of bismuth tungstate with different hierarchical architectures on photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin under visible light

The photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin by bismuth tungstate (Bi 2 WO 6 ) with different hierarchical architectures was investigated under visible light irradiation. Bi 2 WO 6 was prepared by hydrothermal method with the reaction solution pH ranging from 4 to11. The relatively ultrathin Bi 2 WO 6 nanoflakes prepared at pH 4 showed excellent adsorption and photodegradation efficiency towards norfloxacin. The characterization results showed that Bi 2 WO 6 prepared at pH 4 had a larger specific area and faster photo-generated carrier separation rate. The decay rate reached the maximum in weak alkaline reaction solution, which could be attributed to the presence of moderate OH − anions. The present study demonstrated that the smaller size of Bi 2 WO 6 could be an efficient photocatalyst on the degradation of norfloxacin in the aquatic environment.