Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of zinc tungstate nanoparticles and investigation of its photocatalyst application

Zinc tungstate nanoparticles were synthesized via a sonochemical method based on the reaction between zinc (II) nitrate hexahydrate and sodium tungstate dihydrate in water. The structural, morphological and optical properties of as-obtained products were characterized by techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The samples indicated a ferromagnetic behavior, as evidenced by using vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature. To evaluate the catalytic properties of nanocrystalline zinc tungstate, the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under ultraviolet light irradiation was carried out.