Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of α-ZnWO4 nanocrystals in tungsten zinc borate glasses

Tungsten oxide (WO3)-containing glasses of WO3–ZnO–B2O3 were prepared using a conventional melt quenching method, and α-ZnWO4 nanocrystals were synthesized through the crystallization of glasses. A glass with the composition of 20WO3–50ZnO–30B2O3 showed the bulk crystallization of α-ZnWO4 nanocrystals with a diameter of ∼10 nm. Broad and asymmetric emission peaks were observed at the wavelength of λ ∼ 475 nm, i.e., blue emissions, in the photoluminescence spectra for the samples with α-ZnWO4 nanocrystals. From the degradation of the intensity of optical absorption under ultraviolet light (λ = 254 nm) irradiations for the solution consisting of crystallized particles with α-ZnWO4 nanocrystals and methylene blue, it was clarified that α-ZnWO4 nanocrystals formed have photocatalytic activities. The formation of α-ZnWO4 nanocrystals is discussed from the viewpoint of the glass-forming tendency.