Synthesis of flake-like bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) for photocatalytic degradation of coomassie brilliant blue (CBB)

Bismuth tungstate (Bi₂WO₆) flake-like nanostructures with zigzag periphery and 30–40 nm thickness in high yield were produced by facile and efficient modified hydrothermal technique. The as-synthesized nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Bi₂WO₆ nanostructures were investigated as visible light photocatalyst to degrade model dye coomassie brilliant blue (CBB). The role of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) used as initiator was also studied by varying concentrations during photocatalysis. It was observed that photocatalytic activity significantly enhanced for lower initiator concentrations. The growth mechanism for nanostructures was also discussed briefly.