Chelating Agent‐Assisted‐Bi2WO6 Nanostructured Materials for Electron Transfer‐Driven Ultrafast Catalytic Reduction of Organic and Inorganic Contaminants

Abstract

AbstractWe report a chelating agent‐assisted synthesis of Bi2WO6 nanomaterials using a facile hydrothermal method. The presence of a chelating agent (EDTA) influences the degree of crystallinity, morphology, and surface area of Bi2WO6. Analysis by electron microscopy revealed morphological changes of Bi2WO6 from flower‐like to multilayered disc‐like structures after introducing EDTA. The surface area of pristine Bi2WO6 NMs is significantly increased from 31 to 50 m2 g−1. We demonstrated the catalytic properties of Bi2WO6 and EDTA‐Bi2WO6 for 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), methyl orange (MO), congo red (CR), and [Fe(CN)6]3− reductions in the presence of NaBH4. It was observed that EDTA‐Bi2WO6 exhibited higher catalytic activity compared to the pristine Bi2WO6 NMs. The reduction reactions followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetics and the rate constant values of EDTA‐Bi2WO6 for 4‐NP, MO, CR, and [Fe(CN)6]3− reductions were found to be 0.847, 0.584, 0.702, and 0.463 min−1, respectively. The reduction proceeds through electron transfer process over an EDTA‐Bi2WO6 catalyst in the presence of NaBH4. Furthermore, EDTA‐Bi2WO6 also showed ultrafast catalytic performance to dichromate (Cr2O72−) reduction, compared to pristine Bi2WO6. The EDTA‐Bi2WO6 catalyst could be recycled up to five times without undergoing a significant loss in activity.