Synergetic piezo-photocatalytic effect in ultrathin Bi2WO6 nanosheets for decomposing organic dye

In this work, ultrathin Bi 2 WO 6 nanosheets (BWO NS) was synthesized by two-step hydrothermal process, which exhibited a lamellar structure with a thickness of about 10 nm and a transverse length of 100–400 nm. The piezoelectric properties and photocatalytic properties of BWO NS were coupled successfully, and the piezo-photocatalytic activity was studied through the decomposition of 10 mg L − 1 Rhodamine B (Rh B). The results showed that the degradation ratio of BWO NS for Rh B was about 98.39% within 70 min, which was higher than that of sole piezocatalysis (48.98%) and photocatalysis (61.84%). There was no significant degradation of the catalytic performance observed after being recycled four times. Moreover, piezo-photocatalysis of BWO NS efficiently produced active radicals that the major reactive oxidative species (ROS) such as superoxide radicals (·O 2 − ) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) were confirmed by radical capture experiment. The excellent piezo-photocatalysis of BWO NS endows it the potential application for decomposing organic dye via making full advantage of the vibration and solar energy present in natural environments.