Size dependent photoremediation of water pollutant using Bi2WO6 nanoparticles

Sunlight assisted and size dependent photodegraradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) have been successfully demonstrated. Bi2WO6 (BW) nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by a straightforward one step solvothermal synthesis method at 140°C for 12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours. These prepared BW NPs, have been characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR - TEM), UV-Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS). The photoremediation of water pollutant (RhB) was performed under direct sunlight and the radical detection studies were carried under the influence of UV, with different sacrificial agents. The study throws light on the size and surface to volume ratio effect on the photocatalytic efficiency of the BW NPs.