Synergistic mediation of metallic bismuth and oxygen vacancy in Bi/Bi2WO6-x to promote 1O2 production for the photodegradation of bisphenol A and its analogues in water matrix

Bi/Bi2WO6-x heterostructures has been successfully prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. By maneuvering reaction time and Bi/W molar ratio of the precursors, we have been able to selectively introduce oxygen vacancy and metallic Bi into Bi2WO6 nanostructures. The obtained Bi/Bi2WO6-x heterostructures with more oxygen vacancy and moderate metallic Bi exhibit significantly improved photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues due to its great ability for the generation of singlet oxygen (O-1(2)), which has proven to work as the main reactive oxygen species during photocatalysis. It is also found the O-1(2) concentration is highly depended on and modulated by the content of oxygen vacancy and metallic bismuth. Besides, we also demonstrate that the obtained Bi/Bi2WO6-x products display efficient photocatalytic performance toward BPA derivatives degradation and enhanced stability to resist the interferences in the water matrix.

Automated summary

Bi/Bi2WO6-x heterostructures were successfully prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal method, with selective introduction of oxygen vacancy and metallic bismuth into Bi2WO6 nanostructures, leading to significantly improved photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of bisphenol A and its analogues. Additionally, the concentration of singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) was found to be highly dependent on and modulated by the content of oxygen vacancy and metallic bismuth, with the obtained products displaying efficient photocatalytic performance and enhanced stability.