Visible-enhanced photocatalytic performance of CuWO4/WO3 hetero-structures: incorporation of plasmonic Ag nanostructures

• Published in: New journal of chemistry 2018, Vol.42 (13), p.1119-11116
• Main Authors: Salimi, R, Sabbagh Alvani, A. A, Naseri, N, Du, S. F, Poelman, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalytic activity; Charge transfer; Current carriers; Degradation; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Energy conversion; Light irradiation; Methylene blue; Photocatalysis; Photoluminescence; Recyclability; Scanning electron microscopy; Silver; Sol-gel processes; Surface area; Tungsten oxides; Visible spectrum; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 1144-0546; 1369-9261
• DOI: 10.1039/c8nj01656a

A new plasmonic Ag hybridized CuWO 4 /WO 3 heterostructure was successfully synthesized via a ligand-assisted sol gel method. The as-prepared plasmonic nanohybrid was thoroughly characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Moreover, the photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photo-degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that the as-prepared plasmonic Ag-CuWO 4 /WO 3 nanohybrid (compared to pure WO 3 ) with high surface area exhibits significant enhancement in photocatalytic behavior in the visible spectrum, which can be ascribed to combined effects, including the more effective absorption of visible light, lower bulk resistance, effective separation/transfer of photo-generated charge carriers and reduced electron/hole recombination which results from the contribution of hetero-junction and plasmonic Ag incorporation. In addition, a possible mechanism for the photo-degradation process of the hetero-structured Ag nanohybrid is proposed. Finally, the metal/semiconductor nanohybrid displayed sufficient recyclability with respect to photocatalytic activity, making it a promising candidate for pollutant degradation and energy conversion applications. A new plasmonic Ag hybridized CuWO 4 /WO 3 heterostructured nanocomposite was successfully synthesized via a ligand-assisted sol gel method and the photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photo-degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation.