An efficient bismuth tungstate visible-light-driven photocatalyst for breaking down nitric oxide

Environ Sci Technol. 2010 Jun 1;44(11):4276-81. doi: 10.1021/es100084a.

Abstract

This paper reports a photocatalytic removal of 400 ppb level of NO in air under visible light irradiation by utilizing three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical bismuth tungstate (Bi(2)WO(6)) microspheres. A facile microwave-assisted hydrothermal method involving bismuth nitrate and sodium wolframate was developed to synthesize the photocatalyst. The Bi(2)WO(6) samples were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman and ultraviolet-visible reflectance (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The relationship between the physicochemical property and the photocatalytic performance of the as prepared samples is discussed. The present work demonstrates that the 3D hierarchical Bi(2)WO(6) microspheres are effective visible-light-driven photocatalytic functional materials for air purification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bismuth / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nitric Oxide / chemistry*
  • Photochemistry
  • Tungsten / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide
  • Bismuth
  • Tungsten