Flower-like Bi2WO6/ZnO composite with excellent photocatalytic capability under visible light irradiation

Abstract The photocatalytic ability of ZnO is improved through the addition of flower-like Bi2WO6 to prepare a Bi2WO6/ZnO composite with visible light activity. The composite is characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. After modification, the band gap energy of Bi2WO6/ZnO is reduced from 3.2 eV for ZnO to 2.6 eV. Under visible light irradiation, the Bi2WO6/ZnO composite shows an excellent photocatalytic activity for degrading methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline. The photo-degradation efficiencies of (0.3:1) Bi2WO6/ZnO for MB and tetracycline are approximately 246 and 4500 times higher than those of bare ZnO, respectively, and correspondingly, the photo-degradation rates for the two pollutants are approximately 120 and 200 times higher than those with bare ZnO, respectively. Moreover, the photocatalyst of (0.3:1) Bi2WO6/ZnO exhibits a higher transient photocurrent density of approximately 4.5 μA compared with those of bare Bi2WO6 and ZnO nanoparticles. The successful recombination of Bi2WO6 and ZnO enhances the photocatalytic activity and reduces the band gap energy of ZnO, which can be attributed to the effective separation of electron–hole pairs. Active species trapping experiments display that [O2]− is the major species involved during photocatalysis rather than •OH and h+. This study provides insight into designing a meaningful visible-light-driven photocatalyst for environmental remediation.