Bi2WO6/SiC composite photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic performance for dyes degradation

Bi 2 WO 6 demonstrates the limited photocatalytic activity due to its high photoelectron recombination rate. However, its photocatalytic performance is expected to be improved by forming Step-scheme (S-scheme) heterojunction and SiC is a potential candidate because of its high electron transfer rate in photocatalytic process. In this study, S-scheme heterojunction Bi 2 WO 6 /SiC nanocomposites were synthesized by simple hydrothermal method, and their photo degradation properties for rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light were studied. The results show that silicon carbide nanoparticles have been successfully deposited onto the petal-microsphere shaped Bi 2 WO 6 phase. The nanocomposite with mole ratio of Bi 2 WO 6 to SiC of 1:1 exhibits the highest photo degradation rate as tested in the photocatalytic experiments. The photoreaction rate of the nanocomposite is 3.7 times higher than that of pure Bi 2 WO 6 and 15.5 times higher than that of pure SiC, and the nanocomposite demonstrates good photocatalytic stability.