One step solvothermal synthesis of Bi/BiPO4/Bi2WO6 heterostructure with oxygen vacancies for enhanced photocatalytic performance

In this work, a plasmonic metallic Bi deposited BiPO 4 /BiWO 6 heterostructure with surface oxygen vacancies was synthesized through one-step solvothermal method. The successful synthesis of material was confirmed by a series of characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, transmission electron microscope , photoluminescence spectroscopy. The characterization results showed that the surface oxygen vacancies were concentrated on the surface of BiPO 4 . The photocatalytic activity of Bi/BiPO 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 was evaluated by photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue and 2,4-Dichlorophenol under simulated sunlight irradiation. Meanwhile, with the addition of hydrogen peroxide , the photocatalytic efficiency would be further improved. The presence of rich surface oxygen vacancies and photo-induced electron were beneficial to produce hydroxyl radicals. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Bi/BiPO 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 heterostructure was ascribed to high separation efficiency of photo-generated electron–hole pairs, which aroused by the synergistic effects of heterojunction among different components, surface plasmonic resonance effect of Bi, and the surface oxygen vacancies.