Effect of aging on morphological structure of BaWO4 nanostructure toward excellent photocatalytic performance
摘要
The material has collective surface diffusion thermodynamically into stable nano objects because of aging which may have the capability to enhance oxidative degradation performance. Here, Barium-tungstate nanostructures are synthesized using a hydrothermal method with an aging process, employing NaWO4·2H2O and Ba(NO3)2 as precursors and their photocatalytic performance have been measured. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the wolframite tetragonal structure. Morphological characterization via field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed dodecahedral shapes (average ~ 185 nm) for non-aged samples and spherical shapes (average ~ 60 nm) for aged samples. Optical properties, examined by UV-Vis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, showed an absorption peak at 262 nm and a characteristic band at 788 cm−1. Photocatalytic activity for degrading methyl orange dye under visible light was evaluated at varying pH values (2, 4, 6, 8, 10). At pH 10, degradation efficiencies were 96.96% for non-aged samples and 98.79% for aged samples, maximum activity results appeared with the aging process which enhancing performance by improving morphology and increasing active sites.