SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATION OF WO3 NANOPARTICLES
Dr. Surekha Kannaujia*, Dr. Radhey Shyam, Dr. Sonu Dwivedi, Dr. S.V Tyagi and Himanshu Bhatt
ABSTRACT
Tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoparticles were synthesized by a citric acid monohydrate and gelatin-assisted precipitation method using a ratio of Sodium tungstate (Na2WO4), citric acid monohydrate (C6H8O7.H2O) and gelatin powder (C102H151N31O39). The formation of the monoclinic crystal structure of WO3 at different temperatures was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The characterization of the synthesized samples was complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-dispersive X-rays (EDX), etc. The nanoparticles generated were found to have rectangular and oval morphologies. The photocatalytic ability of WO3 nanomaterials to destroy RhB dye in aqueous solutions at various pH levels was investigated. The results show that at pH 8, WO3 nanomaterials have the best photocatalytic activity. Irradiation with a lamp for 80hours resulted in the maximum mineralization of 98%.
Keywords: Tungsten trioxide nanoparticles, citric acid, gelatin powder, X-ray powder diffraction, SEM, FTIR, Photocatalytic ability and pH levels.
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