Synthesis of nanoporous Zn-WO3 by microwave irradiation method for photocatalytic applications

Nanoporous Zn-WO3 was successfully synthesized by microwave irradiation method. The surface characterization of Zn-WO3 was carried out using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Raman spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD shows the formation of orthorhombic structured WO3 and Zn doped WO3 materials. SEM images reveal the nanosphere and nanoporous morphologies of WO3 and Zn-WO3. It has been found that the pH of the starting precursor solution influences the physical and chemical properties of the synthesized nanomaterials. The synthesized nanoporous Zn-WO3 successfully decomposed the methylene blue under UV light irradiation. The effects of Zn-WO3 dose and irradiation time for photodegradation of dye were also studied. The maximum dye removal efficiency of 91.7 % was achieved.