Effects of sodium oleate on synthesis and photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6/Bi2O3@RGO

In this study, the effects of sodium oleate on synthesis of Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 loaded reduced graphene oxide photocatalyst was studied. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–visible diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results suggested that addition of sodium oleate not only promoted synthesis of Bi2O3, but also enhanced the reduction of GO to graphene. When the amount of sodium oleate was 4 mol (Bi:SO = 1:1), Bi2WO6/Bi2O3@RGO to the best visible-light photocatalytic activity can be synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal process without further reduction reaction. Hence, it indicated that sodium oleate could affect the synthesis of the as-prepared composites and the photocatalytic activity for degradation of RhB. This study did provide not only a facile method to synthesize Bi2WO6/Bi2O3@RGO, but also a method to reduce graphene oxide to graphene.