Fabrication of tungsten oxide microfibers with photocatalytic activity by electrospunning from PVA/H3PW12O40 gel

Regarding gel poly (vinyl alcohol)/H3PW12O40 as precursor, the ultra-fine fibers tungsten oxide (WO3) was prepared by using electrospinning and calcinating techniques. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that the average diameter of fibrous WO3 were changed from 200 nm to 600 nm after calcined PVA/H3PW12O40 fibers at 600 and 800 °C, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscope revealed that the fibrous WO3 was monoclinic phase, and the band-gap energies were observed by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The small size WO3 exhibits excellent photocatalytcic activity in degradation of Rhodamine B at 365 nm wavelength.

► The ultra-fine fibers WO3 was prepared firstly by electrospinning technique. ► Heteropolyacids as well as being unconventional, is regarded as particular precursor. ► Higher photocatalytic activity of ultra-fine fibers WO3 was measured.