A review on Bi2WO6-based photocatalysts synthesis, modification, and applications in environmental remediation, life medical, and clean energy

Photocatalysis has emerged a promising strategy to remedy the current energy and environmental crisis due to its ability to directly convert clean solar energy into chemical energy. Bismuth tungstate (Bi₂WO₆) has been shown to be an excellent visible light response, a well-defined perovskite crystal structure, and an abundance of oxygen atoms (providing efficient channels for photogenerated carrier transfer) due to their suitable band gap, effective electron migration and separation, making them ideal photocatalysts. It has been extensively applied as photocatalyst in aspects including pollutant removal, carbon dioxide reduction, solar hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis by nitrogen photocatalytic reduction, and cancer therapy. In this review, the fabrication and application of Bi₂WO₆ in photocatalysis were comprehensively discussed. The photocatalytic properties of Bi₂WO₆-based materials were significantly enhanced by carbon modification, the construction of heterojunctions, and the atom doping to improve the photogenerated carrier migration rate, the number of surface active sites, and the photoexcitation ability of the composites. In addition, the potential development directions and the existing challenges to improve the photocatalytic performance of Bi₂WO₆-based materials were discussed.