New insight into the enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic activity of Pd/PdCl 2 -doped Bi 2 WO 6 photocatalysts

A bismuth-based compound, Bi WO , was successfully synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method. Aiming to improve its photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, Pd/PdCl was first doped onto the surface of Bi WO via a photo-reduction method. The prepared Pd/PdCl -Bi WO samples were characterized based on crystal structures, chemical states, atomic compositions, and morphologies as well as photoabsorption properties. In the screening tests for photocatalytic activity, the 4% Pd-Bi WO sample performed with the highest removal efficiency with respect to the degradation of phenol in wastewater. This sample exhibited better in complete degradation of phenol under visible light irradiation, compared to TiO under ultraviolet irradiation. A possible mechanism for the enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic activity by means of loading Bi WO with Pd was also suggested. This work sheds light on the potential applications of noble metal nanoparticles in visible light-driven photocatalysis.