Abstract: Hierarchical microsphere was prepared by a hydrothermal method , then modified with Cu 2 O sphere by a reduction-precipitation method to obtain Cu 2 O/Bi2 WO6 composites. Phase structure, morphology and optical response property were characterized by XRD , FESEM, TEM, UV-vis DRS and PL.In Cu2 O/Bi2 WO6 composite, 100 nm Cu2 O spheres were nonuniformly adhered to nanoplates of 1.5μm hierarchical microsphere .Modification with Cu 2 O could considerably enhance absorbing ability of ultraviolet-visible light , separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and photocatalytic activity.Using propionic acid as electron donor , performances for production of hydrogen and alkanes via water-splitting process over Cu 2 O/Bi2 WO6 composites have been investigated .Results showed that 5wt;Cu2 O/Bi2 WO6 exhibited better performance for photocatalytic production of hydrogen and alkanes .

Key words: Hierarchical microsphere was prepared by a hydrothermal method , then modified with Cu 2 O sphere by a reduction-precipitation method to obtain Cu 2 O/Bi2 WO6 composites. Phase structure, morphology and optical response property were characterized by XRD , FESEM, TEM, UV-vis DRS and PL.In Cu2 O/Bi2 WO6 composite, 100 nm Cu2 O spheres were nonuniformly adhered to nanoplates of 1.5μm hierarchical microsphere .Modification with Cu 2 O could considerably enhance absorbing ability of ultraviolet-visible light , separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and photocatalytic activity.Using propionic acid as electron donor , performances for production of hydrogen and alkanes via water-splitting process over Cu 2 O/Bi2 WO6 composites have been investigated .Results showed that 5wt;Cu2 O/Bi2 WO6 exhibited better performance for photocatalytic production of hydrogen and alkanes .