Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B by spray deposited Bi2WO6 photoelectrode under solar radiation

Abstract In this work, visible region active Bi2WO6 thin films with variable thickness are successfully deposited by simple and effective spray pyrolysis technique. The structural, optical, morphological and photoelectrochemical properties of synthesized thin films were studied. Rietveld refinement of the structural data tested purity and degree of crystallinity of Bi2WO6 thin films synthesized with variable solution quantity. Optical study revealed visible light absorption of films and small variation in band gap energy. A thin film deposited with 70ml spraying solution quantity exhibit higher photocurrent density (460 mA/cm2) and same film with large area (10 × 10 cm2) was used for photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye under solar radiation. The photoelectrocatalytic removal of RhB exhibit higher degradation efficiency (94%) as compared to photocatalytic process (23%). This study can trigger potential application of Bi2WO6 photoelectrode in solar energy conversion, wastewater treatment and energy production.