Solvothermal synthesis and characterization of monoclinic WO3 nanoplatelets: investigation of their photocatalytic performance

Abstract

An original, facile way based on a non-aqueous sol-gel solvothermal process has been developed to synthesize 2D tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoplatelets in one pot. The reaction between Tungstic acid (H2WO4) and 1-hexanol was a simple process, which resulted in the formation of highly crystalline metal oxide based on WO3 with an average size ranging between 30 and 50 nm, and with a correspondingly high surface area. The structural, morphological, functional group, optical qualities of the materials and the properties of the adsorption surfaces were all examined , and the degree of surface hydroxyls ( -OH groups) has been examined. The products of the reaction were characterized by X-ray Powder Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Nitrogen adsorption ,and pore-size distribution Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy techniques. which indicated the formation of di-hexyl ether as a result of the solvothermal reaction.The optical absorption, measured using UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, revealed a narrow bandgap (Eg = 2.18 and 2.48 eV for WO3-24 and WO3-48, respectively) compared to that of for bulk WO3 (2.7 eV), attributable to oxygen vacancies. Upon increasing dwell time from 24 to 48 h, a blue-shift was observed, highlighting a quantum size effect. The as-prepared WO3 nanoplatelets displayed excellent photocatalytic performance for degrading Rhodamine B under visible light-emitting diode light with up 99 % degradation rate was achieved in 120 min. Thus, the enhanced Rhodamine B photodegradation in the presence WO3-24 along with H2O2 was assigned to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as • OH and RhB *+ , involving in the strong synergistic effect between WO3 and H2O2, effectively separating of photocarriers and, as a consequence, boosting the photocatalytic efficiency.

Exploring organo-bentonite adsorption properties for biphenyl removal from organic-aqueous media: kinetic study and industrial perspective

“…In addition, absorption bands were observed corresponding to the Si-O vibration ion in the SiO4 tetrahedron at 466 cm -1 (in plane bending vibration); The Octahedron Al-O vibration at 787 cm−1 corresponde to metal oxygene vibration [42], and the peak at 1021 cm−1 were attributed to the asymmetrical stretch Si-O-Al [43]. Once bentonite has been treated with CTAB, , new absorption bands appeared at 2920 cm-1 and 2850 cm-1, assigned to elongation vibrations of alkyles groups -CH3 and -CH2, respectively.…”

TiO2/WO3/graphene for photocatalytic H2 generation and benzene removal: widely employed still an ambiguous system

“…Tungsten trioxide is an interesting choice for many heterojunction systems such as WO3/BiVO4 [17], WO3/g-C3N4 [18], and represents an excellent candidate as a companion to TiO2 in heterostructure fashion, because of its narrower bandgap compared to that of TiO2, and also because of a more positive conduction band edge [19]. Consequently, it can act as an electron trap, boosting the charge separation efficiency while also delaying the recombination of photogenerated carriers [20].…”

Petroleum sludge ash-derived MCM-41-silver nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalysis and antimicrobial effect in water treatment

“…Among these mesoporous materials, MCM-41, which can be synthesized from different sources of silica, 20 has emerged as a versatile material with numerous applications in various scientific and engineering fields. Its nanometer-scale structure imparts unique physical and chemical properties, making it highly useful in catalysis, 21,22 separation, 23 adsorption, 24,25 and notably, heterogeneous photocatalysis, 26,27 one of the most effective approach for eliminating toxic pollutants, 28,29 such as dyes commonly used in industrial processes. 30 Indeed, MCM-41 exhibits exceptional potential due to its high specific surface area, providing abundant reactive surface sites, 31 and a uniformly distribution of catalyst particles, which can enhances catalytic activity and selectivity.…”