Modification of TiO2 nanotubes by WO3 species for improving their photocatalytic activity

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 343; pp. 181 - 187
• Main Authors: Sun, Hui, Dong, Bohua, Su, Ge, Gao, Rongjie, Liu, Wei, Song, Liang, Cao, Lixin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.07.2015
• Subjects: Ammonium paratungstate; Degradation; Hydrothermal; Nanostructure; Nanotubes; Photocatalysis; Photocatalytic activity; Reflectance; Titanium; Titanium dioxide; Tungsten oxides; WO3/TiO2 nanotubes; Photocatalytic activity; Ammonium paratungstate; Hydrothermal; WO3/TiO2 nanotubes
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.02.148

•WO3/titania nanotubes are synthesized at low temperature (383K) by a novel approach.•WO3/titania nanotubes present enhanced photocatalytic activity.•The substitution of Ti4+ by W6+ does not occur in nanocomposites at 383K.•Diffuse reflectance spectra of WO3/TNTs exhibit a red shift due to WO3 connection.•The optimal degradation rate of MO could reach 95% within 2h irradiation. WO3/TiO2 nanotubular composite was synthesized at low temperature (383K) by a novel approach. WO3 nanoparticles were loaded on anatase TiO2 nanotubes through the reaction between (NH4)6W7O24·6H2O and aqueous solution of HCl. The obtained products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS). Degradation of methyl orange was employed to investigate the photocatalytic activity of the products. Results show that, among the samples with different concentrations of WO3, W10T with the atomic ratio W/Ti of 10% presents optimal degradation rate. This degradation rate is about 95% within 2h under UV light irradiation, which is much higher than that of pure TiO2 nanotubes.