Insights on the Use of Carbon Additives as Promoters of the Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity of Bi2WO6

Alicia Gomis-Berenguer (1) , Irma Eliani (2) , Vânia F. Lourenço (2) , Rocio J. Carmona (3) , Leticia F. Velasco (4) , Conchi O. Ania (2)

1 CSIC - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas [España] = Spanish National Research Council [Spain]
2 CEMHTI - Conditions Extrêmes et Matériaux : Haute Température et Irradiation
3 CSIC, Inst Nacl Carbon INCAR, POB 73, Oviedo 33080, Spain
4 Royal Military Academy (RMA)

We have explored the impact of the incorporation of various amounts of carbons from varied physicochemical features as additives to Bi 2 WO 6 for the photocatalytic degradation of a dye using simulated solar light. Data has revealed that the composition and acidic character of the carbon additive are important parameters in the performance of the Bi 2 WO 6 /carbon catalysts. The presence of a carbon additive improved the conversion of the dye, evidencing the occurrence of charge transfer reactions that involve radical mediated reactions. The catalysts prepared with 2 and 5 wt.% of carbon additive outperformed the bare semiconductor, despite the shielding effect of the carbon matrix. The acidic nature of the Bi 2 WO 6 /carbon catalysts governs the degradation pathway (due to the preferential adsorption of the dye), that proceeds via the deethylation of the auxochrome groups of the dye at short irradiation times, followed by the cleavage of the chromophore at long irradiation times. Regarding the characteristics of the carbons, the photocatalytic degradation rate is accelerated by carbons of acidic character and high oxygen content, whereas the porosity seems to play a minor role. The presence of the carbon additives also affects the toxicity of the treated solutions, rendering lower values after shorter irradiation periods.

Mots clés: simulated solar light; bismuth tungstate; carbon materials

Domaines: Catalyse; Matériaux; Ingénierie de l'environnement

Alicia Gomis-Berenguer, Irma Eliani, Vânia F. Lourenço, Rocio J. Carmona, Leticia F. Velasco, et al.. Insights on the Use of Carbon Additives as Promoters of the Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity of Bi2WO6. Materials, 2019, 12 (3), pp.385. ⟨10.3390/ma12030385⟩. ⟨hal-02124892⟩