Template-free hydrothermal synthesis and high photocatalytic activity of ZnWO4 nanorods

ZnWO4 nanorods are successfully synthesized by a template-free hydrothermal method, and are characterized in detail by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The results show that the ZnWO4 nanorods with wolframite structure are well-crystallized single crystallites. The crystallinity of the products is influenced by the pH value of initial precursor suspension. The width and length of the synthesized samples increase with hydrothermal reaction temperature. The photocatalytic efficiency of the ZnWO4 nanorods for degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution under UV light irradiation declines greatly with increasing crystallinity. The ZnWO4 nanorods prepared at pH of 4 have the best activity in photo-degradation of MB. After six recycles, photocatalytic activity loss of the catalyst is not obvious.

► ZnWO4 nanorods with uniform diameter are successfully prepared through a template-free hydrothermal method.
► The crystallinity of the products is influenced by the pH value of initial precursor suspension.
► Photocatalytic activity of the ZnWO4 nanorods for degradation of methylene blue is evaluated.
► The ZnWO4 nanorods exhibit good stability of photocatalytic activity.