Microwave hydrothermal fabrication of 3D hierarchical Br/Bi 2 WO 6 with enhanced photocatalytic activity for Rhodamine B and tetracycline degradation

Basing on the unique advantages of uniform and rapid volumetric heating of microwave irradiation, microwave hydrothermal method has been used to fabricate Br/Bi2WO6 for streamlining the preparation procedure and enhancing the photocatalytic activity. The results indicated that Br was successfully introduced into the lattice of Bi2WO6, which improved the absorption ability of visible light. Moreover, Br/Bi2WO6 exhibited smaller size and the enhanced separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers as compared with Bi2WO6. Br/Bi2WO6 exhibited superior reusability and photocatalytic activity of Rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline (TC). Furthermore, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of Br/Bi2WO6 was mainly ascribed to the increased specific surface area, wide UV–vis light absorption range, and high separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers originating from Br doping and microwave heating.