Facile synthesis of Ni-doping Bi2WO6 nano-sheets with enhanced adsorptive and visible-light photocatalytic performances.

Bi2WO6 nano-sheets doped with various amounts of nickel (Ni) were prepared by hydrothermal method, and their microstructure and photocatalytic performance for degrading rhodamine B (RhB) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) under simulated solar light irradiation were investigated. The effective incorporation of Ni atoms in Bi2WO6 was confirmed by energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Ni-doping decreased the crystallite size of Bi2WO6 and improved its specific surface area and surface electrical property. Furthermore, Ni atoms acting as electron traps facilitated the separation of photo electron–hole pairs. Accordingly, both adsorptive and photocatalytic performances of the Ni–Bi2WO6 were improved compared to undoping Bi2WO6. The 0.15-Ni–Bi2-WO6 (Ni/W, molar ratio) displayed the best adsorptive and photocatalytic activities among the Bi2WO6 samples doped with various elements. The photogenerated holes were the predominant reactive species responsible for the photodegradation of RhB by 0.15-Ni–Bi2WO6. Solution pH could influence the adsorptive and photocatalytic performances of 0.15-Ni–Bi2WO6 with the best performances under acidic condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]