Synthesis of 3D hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microsphere architectures with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

•Novel 3D hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microsphere architectures were fabricated via one-pot solvothermal method.•A possible growth mechanism for 3D hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microsphere architectures is proposed.•The excellent photocatalytic activity is attributed to the special 3D hierarchical microsphere architectures.

3D hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microspheres have been successfully synthesized by one-pot solvothermal method at the temperature of 160 °C. The hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microspheres are composed of many slices with jagged edges, with side length of 100-300 nm and a thickness of about 50 nm. K2SO4, as a directing agent, plays an important role in controlling the morphology of WO3·0.33H2O samples. In addition, a series of time-dependent tests have been listed, by which we can obtain the morphological evolution of hierarchical WO3·0.33H2O microspheres. Moreover, the products exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation.