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Samarium and Nitrogen Co‐Doped Bi 2 WO 6 Photocatalysts: Synergistic Effect of Sm 3+ /Sm 2+ Redox Centers and N‐Doped Level for Enhancing Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity
Author(s) -
Wang Fangzhi,
Li Wenjun,
Gu Shaonan,
Li Hongda,
Wu Xue,
Liu Xintong
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201602168
Subject(s) - samarium , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , photocatalysis , photocurrent , spectroscopy , materials science , photoluminescence , doping , diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform , photochemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , nuclear magnetic resonance , catalysis , physics , optoelectronics , quantum mechanics , biochemistry , chromatography
Samarium and nitrogen co‐doped Bi 2 WO 6 nanosheets were successfully synthesized by using a hydrothermal method. The crystal structures, morphology, elemental compositions, and optical properties of the prepared samples were investigated. The incorporation of samarium and nitrogen ions into Bi 2 WO 6 was proved by X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy indicated that the samarium and nitrogen co‐doped Bi 2 WO 6 possessed strong visible‐light absorption. Remarkably, the samarium and nitrogen co‐doped Bi 2 WO 6 exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than single‐doped and pure Bi 2 WO 6 under visible‐light irradiation. Radical trapping experiments indicated that holes (h + ) and superoxide radicals ( . O 2 − ) were the main active species. The results of photoluminescence spectroscopy and photocurrent measurements demonstrated that the recombination rate of the photogenerated electrons and holes pairs was greatly depressed. The enhanced activity was attributed to the synergistic effect of the in‐built Sm 3+ /Sm 2+ redox pair centers and the N‐doped level. The mechanism of the excellent photocatalytic activity of Sm‐N‐Bi 2 WO 6 is also discussed.