Photoactivity of Bi 2 WO 6 synthesized by a solvothermal method using the different solvents

Bi2WO6 (BWO)-based photocatalysts were successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method using the different solvents. The SEM observations reveal that Bi2WO6 prepared with the various solvents has different morphologies. The quenching experiments demonstrate the main active species for RhB degradation are ·O2− and h+. Compared with BWO prepared with glycerol and ethylene, BWO prepared with acetic acid has higher separation efficiency of photogenerated e−-h+ pairs, proven by surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and photoelectrochemistry experiments. Meanwhile, the results of photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) display the BWO prepared with acetic acid has the best photoactivity. The solvents execute a significant influence on the morphology and photocatalytic performance of Bi2WO6.