Synthesis and characterization of WO3 nanowires and metal nanoparticle-WO3 nanowire composites

Tungsten-trioxide nanowire bundles were prepared using a simple hydrothermal method. Sodium-tungstate was used as precursor and sodium-sulfate as structure directing agent. All the reflections of the X-ray diffractogram of the synthesized wires belong to the hexagonal phase of the tungsten trioxide. The nanowires were successfully decorated with metal nanoparticles by wet impregnation. The TEM investigation showed that using different metal precursors resulted in different particle sizes and coverage on the surface.

• Hydrothermal synthesis of hexagonal WO3 nanowires. • Decoration of the nanowires with metal nanoparticles via wet impregnation. • Characterization of the samples using XRD, TEM, SEM, IR, UV–Vis.