Advances in Bi(2)WO(6)-Based Photocatalysts for Degradation of Organic Pollutants

With the rapid development of modern industries, water pollution has become an urgent problem that endangers the health of human and wild animals. The photocatalysis technique is considered an environmentally friendly strategy for removing organic pollutants in wastewater. As an important member of Bi-series semiconductors, Bi(2)WO(6) is widely used for fabricating high-performance photocatalysts. In this review, the recent advances of Bi(2)WO(6)-based photocatalysts are summarized. First, the controllable synthesis, surface modification and heteroatom doping of Bi(2)WO(6) are introduced. In the respect of Bi(2)WO(6)-based composites, existing Bi(2)WO(6)-containing binary composites are classified into six types, including Bi(2)WO(6)/carbon or MOF composite, Bi(2)WO(6)/g-C(3)N(4) composite, Bi(2)WO(6)/metal oxides composite, Bi(2)WO(6)/metal sulfides composite, Bi(2)WO(6)/Bi-series composite, and Bi(2)WO(6)/metal tungstates composite. Bi(2)WO(6)-based ternary composites are classified into four types, including Bi(2)WO(6)/g-C(3)N(4)/X, Bi(2)WO(6)/carbon/X, Bi(2)WO(6)/Au or Ag-based materials/X, and Bi(2)WO(6)/Bi-series semiconductors/X. The design, microstructure, and photocatalytic performance of Bi(2)WO(6)-based binary and ternary composites are highlighted. Finally, aimed at the existing problems in Bi(2)WO(6)-based photocatalysts, some solutions and promising research trends are proposed that would provide theoretical and practical guidelines for developing high-performance Bi(2)WO(6)-based photocatalysts.