Time‐ and Energy‐Efficient Solution Combustion Synthesis of Binary Metal Tungstate Nanoparticles with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

In the search for stable and efficient photocatalysts beyond TiO2 , the tungsten-based oxide semiconductors silver tungstate (Ag2 WO4 ), copper tungstate (CuWO4 ), and zinc tungstate (ZnWO4 ) were prepared using solution combustion synthesis (SCS). The tungsten precursor's influence on the product was of particular relevance to this study, and the most significant effects are highlighted. Each sample's photocatalytic activity towards methyl orange degradation was studied and benchmarked against their respective commercial oxide sample obtained by solid-state ceramic synthesis. Based on the results herein, we conclude that SCS is a time- and energy-efficient method to synthesize crystalline binary tungstate nanomaterials even without additional excessive heat treatment. As many of these photocatalysts possess excellent photocatalytic activity, the discussed synthetic strategy may open sustainable materials chemistry avenues to solar energy conversion and environmental remediation.

Review—Copper Oxide-Based Ternary and Quaternary Oxides: Where Solid-State Chemistry Meets Photoelectrochemistry

“…Solid-state (i.e., ceramic) synthesis routes are handicapped in this regard because they involve rather high temperatures. On the other hand, techniques such as solution combustion synthesis (SCS) 55,94 are attractive because the thermal energy required for the synthesis is contained within the heat of combustion of the fuel:oxidizer precursor mixture. Another important advantage of SCS is the versatility it offers for tuning the range of composition of the end product simply by varying the precursor ratio.…”

“…On the other hand, both Cu(II) and B(VI) are found in octahedral geometry. Distortions from perfect geometry are common in these structures, as exemplified by CuWO 4 94. The Cu-V-O ternary system offers a remarkably diverse array of structures, particularly for the Cu(II) case.…”

Vapor Phase Fabrication of Nanoheterostructures Based on ZnO for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…Over the last decades, the utilization of sunlight‐assisted semiconductor photocatalysis for pollutant degradation, as well as for hydrogen production from water, has gained considerable momentum, due to the increasing concern on environmental and energy issues . In particular, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting stands as a promising route for the renewable conversion of solar light into storable and clean chemical energy with zero carbon emission .…”

Silver Oxide‐Based Semiconductors for Solar Fuels Production and Environmental Remediation: a Solid‐State Chemistry Approach

“…Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is attractive both from energy‐ and time‐efficiency perspectives. This method has been effective in our hands for the synthesis of Ag‐based oxides such as silver tungstate (Ag 2 WO 4 ) and AgBiW 2 O 8 ,. Reviews are available on this technique ,.…”