Synthesis and characterization of MnWO4 nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous silica SBA-15 by fast microwave-assisted method

•The MnWO4/SBA15 nanocomposites were synthesized by fast microwave-assisted method.•The MnWO4 nanoparticles were successfully distributed into the channels of SBA-15.•The MnWO4 nanoparticles in the channels of SBA-15 have much smaller particle size than that synthesized without SBA-15.•The MnWO4 nanoparticles in the channels of SBA-15 are bonded with SBA-15.•The smaller particle size and bonding of MnWO4 nanoparticles with SBA-15 would be very promsing to enhance the photocatalytic activity of MnWO4 nanoparticles.

The MnWO4 nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous silica (MnWO4/SBA-15) was successfully synthesized by a fast microwave-assisted method. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen absorption–desorption isotherm, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Our results showed that the MnWO4/SBA-15 nanocomposites have the ordered hexagonal meso-structure of SBA-15, indicating MnWO4 nanoparticles were successfully distributed into the channels of SBA-15. The size of MnWO4 nanoparticles in SBA-15 is significantly smaller than the size of MnWO4 nanoparticles prepared without SBA-15, indicating that the MnWO4/SBA15 nanocomposites would be very promising for improving photocatalytic activity of MnWO4 nanoparticles.