CTAB-assisted ultrasonic synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties of WO3

• WO3 2D nanostructures were synthesized by ultrasound method assisted with CTAB.
• WO3 morphology was mainly of rectangular nanoplates with a thickness of ∼50 nm.
• The highest surface area value of WO3 was obtained to lowest concentration of CTAB.
• WO3 activity was attributed to morphology, surface area and the addition of CTAB.
• WO3 nanoplates were able to causing almost complete mineralization of rhB and IC.

WO3 2D nanostructures have been prepared by ultrasound synthesis method assisted with CTAB using different molar ratios. The formation of monoclinic crystal structure of WO3 was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The characterization of the WO3 samples was complemented by analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed morphology mainly of rectangular nanoplates with a thickness of around 50 nm and length of 100–500 nm. Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to confirm the elimination of the CTAB in the synthesized samples. The specific surface area was determinate by the BET method and by means of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) it was determinate the band-gap energy (Eg) of the WO3 samples. The photocatalytic activity of the WO3 oxide was evaluated in the degradation reactions of rhodamine B (rhB) and indigo carmine (IC) under Xenon lamp irradiation. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed in the samples containing low concentration of CTAB with morphology of rectangular nanoplates and with higher surface area value than commercial WO3. Photodegradation of rhB and IC were followed by means of UV–vis absorption spectra. The mineralization degree of organic dyes by WO3 photocatalyst was determined by total organic carbon analysis (TOC) reaching percentages of mineralization of 92% for rhB and 50% for IC after 96 h of lamp irradiation.

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