Bi₂MoO₆ nanosheets different in thickness (~6 nm, ~15 nm and ~120 nm) were facilely prepared by hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. They were tested as photocatalysts for selective oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde in the presence of O₂ and under visible light irradiation. It was found that the photocatalytic activity is closely related to the thickness of Bi₂MoO₆ nanosheets. Apparently, thinner nanosheets could induce higher photocatalytic activity. Among them, the ultrathin Bi₂MoO₆ nanosheets (about 6 nm in thickness) which were prepared by a simple solvothermal method using MoO₃ rods as precursor and ethylene glycol as solvent showed the highest activity (toluene conversion 12.7% and benzaldehyde production rate 778 μmol/g/h). The excellent activity is ascribed to the ultrathin sheet-like structure that facilitates efficient separation and transfer of charge carriers. Holes was found to be the main active species. Based on the controlled experiment and active species trapping results, a possible reaction mechanism was proposed.

通过水热和溶剂热方法容易地制备了厚度不同（〜6 nm，〜15 nm和〜120 nm）的Bi ₂ MoO ₆纳米片。在O ₂的存在下和可见光照射下，将它们用作光催化剂将甲苯选择性氧化为苯甲醛的光催化剂。发现光催化活性与Bi ₂ MoO ₆纳米片的厚度密切相关。显然，更薄的纳米片可以诱导更高的光催化活性。其中，通过使用MoO ₃的简单溶剂热法制备的超薄Bi ₂ MoO ₆纳米片（厚度约6 nm）。以棒为前驱体和以乙二醇为溶剂显示出最高的活性（甲苯转化率为12.7％，苯甲醛产率为778μmol/ g / h）。优异的活性归因于超薄片状结构，该结构有助于电荷载流子的有效分离和转移。发现孔是主要的活性物种。基于控制实验和活性物质捕获结果，提出了可能的反应机理。