Efficient piezo‐assisted near‐infrared‐light‐driven Cr(VI) reduction over Bi <sub>2</sub> S <sub>3</sub> nanowires transformed from ultrathin Bi <sub>2</sub> WO <sub>6</sub> nanosheets
Qiang Zhang, Yuan-Hao Cheng, Wei Liu, Huinan Che, Yanhui Ao
Abstract
Abstract The utilization of piezo‐photocatalytic technology for environmental remediation under full spectrum solar light is promising but still challenging. Herein, one‐dimensional Bi 2 S 3 nanowires, which can utilize both mechanical energy and near‐infrared (NIR) light to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) efficiently, were synthesized by a restrained growth method. The reaction rate constants of Cr (VI) reduction in piezo‐photocatalytic process under NIR (800–2500 nm) reached 0.334 min −1 , which were 3.2 and 12.4 times as that of single piezo and photocatalytic process. The formation of polarized electric fields and one‐dimensional structure allow ultrafast separation of charge carriers, thereby promoting the catalytic activity. Furthermore, due to the strong penetrability of NIR light, the piezo‐photocatalysis performance in turbid solutions under NIR light (0.188 min −1 ) was even comparable to that under visible light (0.186 min −1 ). This study provides a new concept on the development of piezo‐photocatalytic technology for environmental remediation by utilization of NIR light and natural mechanical energy.