Controllable topological transformation from BiOCl hierarchical microspheres to Bi sub(2)WO sub(6) superstructures in the Bi-W-Cl-O system

In this work, three-dimensional (3D) Bi sub(2)WO sub(6) superstructures assembled by nanosheets were prepared using the topological transformation of BiOCl hierarchical microspheres via a facile one-pot solvothermal method. Interestingly, it was found that the transformation process experienced three stages including BiOCl, Bi0Cl/Bi sub(2)WO sub(6) composites and Bi sub(2)WO sub(6) with increasing solvothermal time at 150 [degrees]C, which was confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrometer and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) results. Importantly, the crystal growth of Bi sub(2)WO sub(6) superstructures occurred at the exposed (001) facets of BiOCl nanosheets with (ProQuest: Formulae and/or non-USASCII text omitted) units replacing the interlaminar Cl atoms. Also, the growth mechanism was revealed and discussed in the thermodynamic and kinetic dynamic aspects. Compared with BiOCl superstructures, the BiOCl/Bi sub(2)WO sub(6) composites and Bi sub(2)WO sub(6) superstructures showed better photocatalytic activity in the degradation of benzene gases under visible-light irradiation owing to the existence of visible-light-active Bi sub(2)WO sub(6). This topological transformation by regulating the solvothermal synthetic conditions may provide a new insight into the controllable synthesis of other 3D compounds.