LAUSR

Abstract Flower-like hollow Bi2WO6 (FHBWO) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and in-situ grown on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to form a 3D structural FHBWO/RGO hybrid through a one-pot hydrothermal process. The obtained nanocomposites showed greatly improved photoactivity than pristine Bi2WO6. The photocurrent was 9 times enhanced because of the effectively accelerated electron transfer due to the adding of RGO. However, when diethylstilbestrol (DES) was added, the DES molecules would be absorbed onto the FHBWO/RGO surface, which could hinder the electron-transfer character greatly and resulted in the recombination of photo-generated holes and electrons leading to a prominent decrease in the photocurrent. Based on its outstanding photoelectrochemical (PEC) response and the inhibition effect of DES, a facile PEC sensor for the detection of DES was successfully developed in the concentration range from 0.1 pM to 1200 pM.