Rare Earth Ion Yb3+ Doping of Bi2WO6 with Excellent Visible-light Photocatalytic Activity

The rare earth ion Yb3+ doped Bi2WO6 photocatalysts were synthesized by hydrothermal method. Moreover, XRD, XPS, FESEM, TEM, Ramam, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm measurements and UV-vis diffusion reflectance spectra were used to characterize the Yb3+ doped Bi2WO6 photocatalysts. The morphology, specific surface area, and pore volume distribution were greatly affected after Yb3+ ions doping. Photocatalytic performance of Bi2WO6 was effectively enhanced after Yb3+ ions doping, 6% Yb3+ doped Bi2WO6 had the best photocatalytic performance, and 96.2% Rhodamine B was degradated after irradiated 30 min, which was 1.29 times that of the pristine one. The enhanced photocatalytic performance was due to the increased specific surface area, decreased energy band gap and inhibition of photoelectron-hole recombination after Yb3+ ions doping.