Synthesis of flower‐like WO 3 /Bi 2 WO 6 heterojunction and enhanced photocatalytic degradation for Rhodamine B

Flower‐like Bi 2 WO 6 microspheres were prepared by a facile hydrothermal process without any surfactant or template. The WO 3 /Bi 2 WO 6 samples were prepared by a simple heat treatment. The obtained samples were characterised by X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectra, transient photocurrent and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. In the heterojunctions, WO 3 nanoparticles adhered to the surface of the three‐dimensional flower‐like hierarchical Bi 2 WO 6 . The WO 3 /Bi 2 WO 6 samples showed much higher photocatalytic activity than pure Bi 2 WO 6 did for Rhodamine B degradation under visible light irradiation. The improved photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the synergic effect between WO 3 and Bi 2 WO 6 in the framework, which led to the high transfer rate of photoinduced charge carriers. The possible photocatalytic mechanism of the composites is proposed to further understand the improvement in photocatalytic activity.