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Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic properties of La/WO3 composites

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Abstract

La/WO3 system were successfully built via a simply crystallization precipitation method using sodium tungstate and lanthanum nitrate hexahydrate as precursor. Samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis absorbance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms (BET). Results showed that La does not enter into the crystal lattice of WO3 but located in the interstitial site and accordingly presented as the form of La–O–W in the interstitial site. In addition, doping of La restrict the grain size and the minimum crystal size was 28 nm at La:W = 3:10. Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B showed that the modified samples had better catalytic performance. When La:W reaches 0.3, the La/WO3 nano-materials exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity, which can be attributed to the synergic effect of the higher BET surface area, surface hydroxyl content and optimum La contents. A possible mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation of RhB has also been provided.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 21507014, 21663006), Nature Science Foundation of Guangxi Province (No. 2014GXNSFBA118036), Program for Science and Technology Development Plan of Nanning (No. 20163146).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, 100# Daxue road, Nanning, 530004, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China

    Xiying Zhu, Pan Zhang, Bin Li, Qun Hu, Wenli Su, Lihui Dong & Fan Wang

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  1. Xiying Zhu
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  2. Pan Zhang
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  3. Bin Li
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Correspondence to Bin Li or Lihui Dong.

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Zhu, X., Zhang, P., Li, B. et al. Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic properties of La/WO3 composites. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 28, 12158–12167 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-017-7030-3

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