Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1489889 Materials Research Bulletin 2013 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

WO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by citric acid-assisted precipitation method using a 1:1.5 molar ratio of ammonium paratungstate hydrate (H42N10O42W12·xH2O):citric acid (C6H8O7). The formation of monoclinic crystal structure of WO3 at different temperatures was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The characterization of the samples synthesized was complemented by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmitt–Teller surface area (BET) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). According to the thermal treatment followed during the synthesis of WO3, the morphology of the nanoparticles formed was characterized by rectangular and ovoid shapes. The photocatalytic activity of WO3 obtained under different experimental conditions was evaluated in the degradation of rhodamine B (rhB), indigo carmine (IC), methyl orange (MO), and Congo red (CR) in aqueous solution under UV and UV–vis radiation. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed in the sample obtained by thermal treatment at 700 °C. In general, the sequence of degradation of the organic dyes was: indigo carmine (IC) > rhodamine B (rhB) > methyl orange (MO) > Congo red (CR). The mineralization degree of organic dyes by WO3 photocatalysts was determined by total organic carbon analysis (TOC) reaching percentages of mineralization of 82% (rhB), 85% (IC), 28% (MO), and 7% (CR) for 96 h of lamp irradiation.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► WO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple citric acid-assisted precipitation. ► WO3 photocatalyst was able to the partial mineralization of rhB, IC and MO. ► WO3 can be considered as a photocatalyst active under visible light irradiation.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Materials Science Ceramics and Composites
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