Layered Ag/Ag2O/BiPO4/Bi2WO6 heterostructures by two-step method for enhanced photocatalysis

Abstract Two-dimensionally layered structures are intriguing for the fundamental demand of opto-electronic devices and have broad applications due to their superior properties. In particular, layered heterostructures as promising materials in photocatalysis, have lots of active atoms exposed on the surface, which largely affect the photocatalytic performance. In this work, two-dimensional heterostructures were synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method, in which monolayer BiPO4 chemically bonded on Bi2WO6 nano-sheets with Ag/Ag2O nanoparticles (BWO-AP). The two-step method significantly improved photocatalytic efficiency, compared with traditional one-step process. Compared to other controls, BWO-AP showed highest quantum efficiency and photocatalytic performances for O2 revolution in distilled water and Rh B degradation. It was ascribed to its fast photoinduced charge separation and transfer. Interestingly, there also was some amount of H2 generated in distilled water, and the increased Ag0 : Ag+ of BWO-AP after photocatalytic reaction could explain the consumption of photo-induced electrons from water splitting.