Grape-like Bi2WO6/TiO2 hierarchical microspheres: A superior visible light photocatalyst with magnetic recycling property

Abstract Novel magnetic Bi 2 WO 6 /TiO 2 hierarchical microspheres with grape-like morphology were successfully synthesized by a reliable and effective approach. The multifunctional composite microspheres compose of a magnetic core of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 , and an outer shell of Bi 2 WO 6 /TiO 2 heterostructure. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. It is discovered that the Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @Bi 2 WO 6 /TiO 2 ( FSBT ) composite microspheres exhibit superior photocatalytic activity, and the photocatalytic reaction rate reaches 0.0640 min −1 , which is 1.5 and 49.2 times greater than that of the Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @Bi 2 WO 6 ( FSB ) composites and the TiO 2 (Degussa P25) nanoparticles, respectively. Besides, the FSBT composite microspheres also present excellent magnetic recoverability.