Synthesis of 3D hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microsphere architectures with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

- Novel 3D hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microsphere architectures were fabricated via one-pot solvothermal method.
- A possible growth mechanism for 3D hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microsphere architectures is proposed.
- The excellent photocatalytic activity is attributed to the special 3D hierarchical microsphere architectures.

3D hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microspheres have been successfully synthesized by one-pot solvothermal method at the temperature of 160 °C. The hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microspheres are composed of many slices with jagged edges, with side length of 100-300 nm and a thickness of about 50 nm. K2SO4, as a directing agent, plays an important role in controlling the morphology of WO3·0.33H2O samples. In addition, a series of time-dependent tests have been listed, by which we can obtain the morphological evolution of hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microspheres. Moreover, the products exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation.