Novel Bi(2)WO(6)-TiO(2) heterostructures for Rhodamine B degradation under sunlike irradiation

Abstract

Highly efficient Bi(2)WO(6)-TiO(2) heterostructure is synthesized by means of a hydrothermal method having highly photoactivity for the degradation of Rhodamine B under sunlike irradiation. From the structural characterization it has been demonstrated that TiO(2) is incorporated on the Aurivillius structure. Interesting synergetic effect between TiO(2) and Bi(2)WO(6) leads to an improved charge carrier separation mechanism, causing the excellent photocatalytic performance under sunlike irradiation. The photocatalytic performance of Bi(2)WO(6) and Bi(2)WO(6)-TiO(2) was compared under different irradiation conditions and using increasing Rhodamine B concentration up to 25 ppm. After the photocatalytic analysis of both systems, the mineralization efficiency of the heterostructure appears significantly higher with respect to Bi(2)WO(6).