Abstract
WO3 catalytic powders were successfully synthesized from tungstic acid and sodium tungstate precursors by simple, low-cost sol–gel and precipitation methods followed by low-temperature hydrothermal treatment. WO3 crystallization process was completed with calcination of the samples at 500 and 700 °C. The effects of synthesis method and calcination temperature on the structural, morphological characteristics and surface area of the samples were investigated. The photocatalytic activity of WO3 samples was evaluated by the discoloration efficiency of methylene blue (MB) aqueous solutions under NUV/visible light irradiation at various reaction pH values. The photocatalytic discoloration efficiency of MB was found to increase with increasing reaction pH, with best results obtained at pH 9.
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This project is implemented through the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning,” Action Archimedes III and is co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund) and Greek national funds (National Strategic Reference Framework 2007–2013).
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Vamvasakis, I., Georgaki, I., Vernardou, D. et al. Synthesis of WO3 catalytic powders: evaluation of photocatalytic activity under NUV/visible light irradiation and alkaline reaction pH. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 76, 120–128 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-015-3758-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-015-3758-5