Solid-base loaded WO₃ photocatalyst for decomposition of harmful organics under visible light irradiation

Composite of NaBiO3-loaded WO3 with a mixing ratio of 10:100 was prepared for photocatalytic harmful-organic-contaminant decomposition. The composite properties were measured using X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis), and valence band-X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (VB-XPS). The results exhibited that the potentials for top of the valence band and bottom of conduction band for NaBiO3 can be estimated, respectively, as +2.5 V and -0.1 to 0 V. Furthermore, WO3, NaBiO3, and the composite showed IPA oxidation properties under visible-light irradiation. Results show that the composite exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity about 2-propanol (IPA) decomposition into CO2 than individual WO3 or NaBiO3 because of charge separation promotion and the base effect of NaBiO3.