Transition metal tungstates synthesized by co-precipitation method: Basic photocatalytic properties

Transition metal tungstates with general formula M2+WO4 (M2+ = Co, Cu, Mn and Ni) were synthesized by the co-precipitation method at 400 °C. The prepared powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms and photoelectrochemical measurements. The quasi-Fermi potentials of electrons determined at pH 7 were −0.67, −0.54, −0.21 and −0.18 V (vs. NHE) for CoWO4, CuWO4, MnWO4 and NiWO4, respectively. Photodegradation of methanol and 4-chlorophenol was used to evaluate the photoactivity of the tungstate oxides under visible-light irradiation. The CuWO4 powders showed the best mineralization yields (about 12% for methanol after 25 h, and 23% for 4-chlorophenol after 6 h of irradiation). These results show the feasibility of organic photocatalytic mineralization using CuWO4.