Synthesis and characterization of WO3 nanoparticles prepared by the precipitation method: Evaluation of photocatalytic activity under vis-irradiation

WO₃ nanoparticles were synthesized by the precipitation method varying the time employed in the formation of their precursor in aqueous media and the calcination temperature. The WO₃ crystallization process and morphology of the synthesized samples were followed by the XRD, TEM and SEM techniques. The effects of the calcination temperature on the surface area and optical properties of the WO₃ nanoparticles were also investigated. Nanoparticles with morphologies such as square and rectangular plates and ovoid forms were observed for the different experimental conditions. WO₃ nanoparticles with different morphologies were tested for the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. In general, the photocatalysts showed a capacity to bleach the dye solution in the following sequence: indigo carmine (IC) > rhodamine B (rhB) > congo red (CR). The extent of mineralization was determined by means of total organic carbon (TOC) measurements, which showed a satisfactory TOC reduction (93%, within 75 h) only for IC. This value was even better than the one concerning the P-25 Degussa reference.