The improved photocatalytic activity of CaWO₄ nanorods by loading Bi on the surface

The photocatalysis of organic contaminants in water is particularly interesting in recent years. Non-noble semimetal bismuch (Bi) has come into notice because of its inexpensiveness and effective surface plasmon response (SPR) that could enhance the photocatalytic activities of photocatalysts. Herein, we reported the synthesis of CaWO₄ and Bi@CaWO₄ photocatalysts with rod-like microstructure. The synthesized CaWO₄ and Bi@CaWO₄ photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS, TEM, EDS and DRS technologies. The photochemical performance and the photocatalytic activities of them were also inquired into. Bi@CaWO₄ nanorods show the enhancement of photocatalytic activity comparing with the CaWO₄ nanorods, which is induced by the SPR effect originating from non-noble Bi. The SPR effect results in the bumper harvest of visible light, efficient charge separation and transfer. Therefore, the photocatalutic activity of CaWO₄ is enhanced by loading Bi on the surface.