Influence of synthesis methods on physical and photocatalytic properties of Bi 2 WO 6 for decomposition of organic dyes and Cr(VI) reduction

This article reports preparation of Bi 2 WO 6 using solid-state and solution combustion methods. Different physicochemical characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM, BET-N 2 adsorption study, UV–vis, XPS and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to examine crystalline phase, optical and morphological properties of synthesized Bi 2 WO 6 samples. The evaluation of prepared photocatalyst for methyl orange degradation, Cr(VI) reduction under visible light and rhodamine B degradation under direct sunlight was carried out. The sample prepared by a solution combustion route, exhibited superior photocatalytic activities than that prepared by a traditional solid-state route.