Mechanochemical synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of Bi2WO6 nanoparticles in CO, n-hexane and methane oxidation reactions

• Direct mechanochemical synthesis of nanoparticles Bi2WO6 depending on batch amount.
• The amorphous phase favors obtaining of particles with smaller size (4 nm).
• The CO and n-hexane oxidation reaches 98% and 70% conversion, respectively.
• The catalytic activity increases when the sample is modified by 0.14 wt.% Pd.

This article represents data on the mechanochemical synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of Bi2WO6 nanoparticles. The synthesis of Bi2WO6 nanopowder (10 nm) started after 90 min of milling time interval and it was completely finished after 4 h when using 2.5 g batch of the initial oxides. Longer milling time intervals (8 h) were needed to synthesize the target nanophase (4 nm), when using a 4.0 g batch of precursor oxides. The Bi2WO6 powders manifest low absorbance ability in the visible range with a band gap ranging from 2.85 to 2.88 eV. The catalytic activity was investigated in the reactions of CO, n-hexane and methane oxidation, respectively. The oxidation of CO on Bi2WO6 proceeds at temperatures higher than 200 °C, while the complete oxidation of n-hexane was found to occur at temperatures higher than 250 °C. A remarkable increase in the catalytic activity was achieved in the case of Bi2WO6 supported with 0.14 wt.% Pd. The promotional effect of Bi on the catalytic activity of the Pd loaded sample could be explained by the formation of alloy or inter-metallic phases (α-Bi2Pd and β-BiPd), which is considered as perspective for the development of a catalyst for treatment of methane emissions.

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