Formation of hydroperoxo (–OOH) species on the surface of self-doped Bi2.15WO6: reactivity towards As(iii) oxidation

Bi2+xWO6 is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly photocatalyst that shows high reactivity in the oxidation of various contaminants under visible light. However, under alkaline conditions, the reactive oxidative species in the Bi2+xWO6 system are still not clear yet. In this study, it is observed that the oxidation rates of As(III) increase with increasing pH values in the Bi2.15WO6 system. Photoluminescence and the Mott–Schottky analyses confirm that OH− promotes the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron–hole pairs over Bi2.15WO6, thus facilitating the oxidation of As(III). Electron spin resonance spectra analysis and quenching experiments rule out contributions of •OH, O2˙−, 1O2 and superoxo species to As(III) oxidation and indicate that surface –OOH and/or H2O2 are indeed the predominant species under alkaline conditions. The improved production of H2O2 by H-donors such as glucose and phenol, as well as the UV-vis diffuse reflectance and Raman analyses, further confirms the formation of surface –OOH on Bi2.15WO6 under alkaline conditions. In the dark, the significant higher oxidation rate of As(III) by H2O2–Bi2.15WO6 than that by H2O2 alone reveals that surface −OOH, instead of H2O2, plays an important role in As(III) oxidation. This study enriches our understanding of the diversity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the Bi2.15WO6 system and gives new insight into the mechanism involved in the oxidation of As(III) under alkaline conditions.