title: Enhanced photocatalytic performance in Bi2WO6/SnS heterostructures: Facile synthesis, influencing factors and mechanism of the photocatalytic process.
abstract: Highly-efficient photocatalyst based on Bi2WO6/SnS heterostructure was prepared via a surface functionalization method using 3-mercaptopropionic (MPA) as the surface functionalizing agent. Compared to bare Bi2WO6 and SnS nanoparticles, the as-formed Bi2WO6/SnS heterostructure exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh B). Photoluminescence and photocurrent measurements demonstrate that the enhanced photocatalytic activity during the photocatalytic process is closely related to the enhanced electron-hole separation efficiency. The photocatalytic activity of the as-formed Bi2WO6/SnS heterostructure can be perfectly remained even after being used for five times, showing excellent durability during the photocatalytic process. The influence of pH and inorganic ions are systematically investigated. And the optimum pH for the photocatalytic process is determined to be 6. The addition of chloride ion will exert negative effect on the photodegradation process of Rh B. The mechanism of photodegradation process was investigated by exploring the quenching effects of different scavengers and the results suggest that the reactive holes play the major role in the photodegradation process of Rh B.
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and Novel Cell Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China.
authors.forename: Rongfeng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and Novel Cell Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China.
authors.forename: Huaifen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and Novel Cell Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China.
authors.forename: Yuanwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and Novel Cell Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China.
authors.forename: Xianxi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and Novel Cell Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and Novel Cell Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China.
authors.forename: Caihua
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and Novel Cell Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China. Electronic address: drzengsy@163.com.
authors.forename: Suyuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and Novel Cell Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China. Electronic address: sundezhi@lcu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Dezhi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sun
keywords: Bi(2)WO(6)/SnS heterostructures; Narrow band semiconductor coupling; Visible-light-driven photocatalysis; pH-dependent