Abstract: A new solid solution oxide BiYWO₆(BYW)was prepared by solid state reaction at a high temperature and discovered to split water into H₂ and O₂ under visible light. The XPS results proved the stability of RuO₂/Bi₂WO₆ in the photocatalytic reaction. RuO₂ was the most suitable cocatalyst for BYW. Sacrificial reagents were used to confirm the photocatalytic ability of BYW. The formation of solid solution of Y₂WO₆ and Bi₂WO₆ was suggested to raise the bottom position of conduction band and to make Bi6s contribute to creating new valence band higher than that of O_2p.

Key words: Photocatalysis, Solid solution, Overall water splitting, Visible light, Metal oxide