Monolayer Bi2W1–xMoxO6 Solid Solutions for Structural Polarity to Boost Photocatalytic Reduction of Nitrobenzene under Visible Light

Monolayer nanosheets of Bi₂W₁–ₓMoₓO₆ solid solutions, possessing an average thickness of 0.98 nm, have been rationally designed and constructed by a facile bottom-up route of a hydrothermal reaction. The tiptop photocatalytic efficiency of Bi₂W₁–ₓMoₓO₆ monolayer nanosheets can be achieved for effective reduction conversion of nitrobenzene into anilines under visible light, in conspicuous contrast to the homologous pristine Bi₂WO₆ and Bi₂MoO₆ components. The optimal Bi₂W₀.₂₅Mo₀.₇₅O₆ monolayer nanosheets exhibit a high selectivity and stability for photocatalytic nitrobenzene reduction, affording a high aniline generating rate of 650 μmol g–¹.h–¹, in excess of the previously reported ordinary photocatalysts. The good photocatalytic property could be due to the lattice distortion in solid solutions for structural polarity by the more electronegative W substitution, leading to the efficient interfacial and interior separation of photogenerated carriers. The structure–activity relationship of Bi₂W₁–ₓMoₓO₆ demonstrates a novel insight to devise property-controllable photocatalysts at the atomic level with high efficiency for organic photocatalytic reactions.