Fabrication, characterization and photocatalytic properties of Au/TiO2-WO3 nanotubular composite synthesized by photo-assisted deposition and electrochemical anodizing methods

• TiO2-WO3 nanotubular composites were synthesized by one-step electrochemical anodizing using sodium tungstate as the tungsten source.
• Au/TiO2-WO3 photocatalysts were successfully prepared by photodeposition of Au nanoparticles on the surface of TiO2-WO3 nanotubes.
• Photocatalytic activity of Au/TiO2-WO3 is higher than that of WO3-TiO2 and pure TiO2 nanotubes.
• These photocatalysts showed good stability and it could be recycled several times without significant loss of its activity.

A photo-assisted deposition (PAD) technique was adopted to construct highly dispersed gold nanoparticles on TiO2-WO3 nanotubular composite electrodes prepared by one-step electrochemical anodizing. The morphology, crystallinity, elemental composition and light absorption capability of samples were distinguished based on various characterizations. The degradation of methylene blue (MB) was used as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the obtained samples. Characterization of the as-prepared TiO2-WO3 samples indicated that dopant concentration in anodizing solution significantly influenced the morphology and photocatalytic activity of fabricated films. It was found that the degradation ratio of Au/TiO2-WO3 nanotubes was improved as compared with that of bare TiO2-WO3 nanotubes. The experimental results showed that the photocatalytic activities of Au/TiO2-WO3 were significantly affected by the amount of Au nanoparticles. This work provides an insight into designing and synthesizing new TiO2-WO3 nanotubes-based hybrid materials for effective visible light-activated photocatalysis.

Schematic presentation of pretreatment method of titanium and producing process of TiO2-WO3 and Au/TiO2-WO3 samples.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (115 K)Download as PowerPoint slide