LAUSR

Abstract In this study, the novel visible-light-driven composite photocatalysts (Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6) were prepared by the one-step hydrothermal method. The morphology, crystal structure, chemical state and optical properties of the prepared photocatalysts were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (UV–vis DRS), BET surface area and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The photocatalytic experiment results showed that Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6 composite photocatalysts possessed superior photocatalytic activity toward RhB and MO degradation in comparison with the single phase Sb2WO6 and Bi2WO6. Under visible-light irradiation, 100% of RhB (10 mg/L, 100 mL) and 70% of MO (10 mg/L, 100 mL) were degraded in the present of Sb2WO6/Bi2WO6 with 6% Sb content within 90 min. The mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement was attributed to the enhanced visible-light absorbance, the inhibition of electron-hole pair's recombination and the increase of specific surface area. The pathway of RhB degradation was proposed according to HPLC and GC-MS analysis. This study provided a simple method without organic solvent to construct a new efficient composite photocatalyst for dye wastewaters treatment.