The first synthesis of Bi self-doped Bi2MoO6-Bi2Mo3O12 composites and their excellent photocatalytic performance for selective oxidation of aromatic alkanes under visible light irradiation.

We report the synthesis of Bi self-doped Bi2MoO6-Bi2Mo3O12 composites with heterostructures by a one-step method using Bi3.64Mo0.36O6.55 as precursor. Among them, Bi2.1MoO6-Bi2.1Mo3O12 shows excellent selectivity as well as recyclability in the oxidation of aromatic alkanes to aldehydes under visible light irradiation.