Development of C3N4 embedded Bi2WO6 heterostructure for the improved toxic Cr(VI) reduction performance

[Display omitted] •C3N4 nanosheets embedded on the surface of Bi2WO6 hierarchical microsphere.•Effective photocatalytic reduction of toxic Cr(VI) metal.•Maximum reduction activity of 71.5% by BCN200 heterostructure catalyst.•Improved electron life time with reduced charge carrier recombination by the formation of heterostructure with well aligned band energy level. C3N4 embedded Bi2WO6 hierarchical microsphere was successfully synthesized in this study using a simple hydrothermal approach and characterized using sophisticated instruments. In comparison to C3N4 and Bi2WO6 systems, the C3N4 embedded Bi2WO6 system exhibits excellent photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction activity after 150 min of UV–vis illumination. The remarkable efficiency of the fabricated photocatalyst can be ascribed to the creation and electronic contact between Bi2WO6 with C3N4, thereby enhancing its charge transfer by the increased surface active sites. Our research demonstrates a simple and successful method for fabricate an effectual catalyst for the effective reduction of Cr (VI).