Sun-light-driven photocatalytic annihilation of Methyl Orange degradation, Hydrogen production and stability assessment via conventional hydrothermal preparation of novel Cd and Co co-doped Bi₂WO₆

The present work focuses on the novel formation of Cd and Co co-doped Bi₂WO₆ nanostructures via the hydrothermal method to enhance the photocatalytic degradation of MO dye. We analyzed the produced nanostructures for their optical, morphological and crystallographic properties using PL, UV–Vis, SEM, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopy. A study of X-ray diffraction confirmed the crystallographic properties of developed nanostructures are improved by the incorporation of co-dopant, and the crystallite size was reduced. SEM revealed the hierarchical structures of produced nanostructures. FTIR showed the functional groups present in the samples. The energy gap of the established nanostructures was reduced from 2.75 eV to 1.57 eV due to the co-dopant material. The optimized nanostructure Cd_0.04Co_0.03 Bi_1.93WO₆ nanostructure was proven to be the most efficient catalyst for the degradation of MO dye up to 98% in 64 min. The results revealed that the Cd_0.04Co_0.03 Bi_1.93 WO₆ had a K value of 0.05134 min⁻¹, and exhibited excellent stability (92 %) after five consecutive cycles. Further optimized nanostructure was produced maximum hydrogen (19.2mmolg⁻¹h⁻¹). As a result, an optimized nanostructure will be the most efficient photocatalyst for eradicating harmful dyes from water and energy production.