A facile route to tungsten oxide nanomaterials with controlled morphology and structure

Various tungsten oxide-based nanomaterials have been prepared by a modified plasma arc gas condensation technique without the use of catalysts or substrates. These products could be obtained by controlling the processing parameters during experiment. All the as-obtained samples were characterized by field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The results revealed that as-prepared tungsten oxide nanomaterials (WO3, W19O55 and W5O14) with different phases and morphologies could be obtained by decreasing the oxygen content in the chamber. In addition, W18O49 nanotubes and nanorod bundles were fabricated by controlling the Ar/O2 ratio under He plasma gas. W18O49/TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles were also prepared by evaporating a dual target. The experimental results showed that the present technique is unique and feasible for the fabrication of nanomaterials for use in different applications.

Graphical abstractA modified plasma arc gas condensation technique was used to synthesize various nano-sized tungsten oxide nanomaterials with controlled morphologies and structures, e.g. various non-stoichiometric WO3−x nanomaterials were prepared by tuning oxygen content, W18O49/TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles prepared by evaporating a dual target. The experimental results showed that this technique is unique and feasible for the fabrication of nanomaterials for use in different applications.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide