Doping effect of phosphate in Bi₂WO₆ and universal improved photocatalytic activity for removing various pollutants in water

Ionic group doping into the semiconductor photocatalyst is a new concept to improve photocatalytic performance, which always is a difficult challenge. In this paper, PO₄-doped Bi₂WO₆ photocatalyst is prepared by the urea-precipitation way in the hydrothermal process for the first time. The as-prepared sample presents the universal enhanced photocatalytic activity for removing various contaminants in water compared with the pristine Bi₂WO₆ under visible-light irradiation, such as heavy metal Cr (VI), colored dye RhB, colorless phenol and different kind antibiotics. It attributes to the doping effect of PO₄ group in Bi₂WO₆ influencing on energy band structure, light absorption property and separation efficiency of the charge carriers. This work provides a new insight into anionic group doping effects and takes an important step toward the development of improving Bi-based photocatalyst activity.