Issue 16, 2017

Synthesis, characterization, and enhanced photocatalytic properties of NiWO4 nanobricks

Abstract

Brick shaped nanoparticles of nickel tungstate (NiWO4) were synthesized magnificently using the molten salts process at 500 °C. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and electron microscopy measurements were carried out to investigate the phase purity, crystal structure, and morphology (size and shape) of the NiWO4 nanobricks (diameters of ∼20 nm). The BET surface area of the NiWO4 nanobricks was found to be ∼25 m2 g−1. The optical properties of the NiWO4 nanobricks demonstrate a direct band gap of 2.95 eV. Thereupon, the photocatalytic activities of the NiWO4 nanobricks have been investigated for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in neutral and basic media under solar light irradiation (SLI). The NiWO4 nanobricks show significant enhancement in the photo-degradation of MB dye solution in alkaline (∼100% in 50 minutes) and neutral media (∼80% in 330 minutes) as compared to bulk NiWO4 and previous reports of metal tungstate. ESI mass spectrometry was also carried out to confirm the photocatalytic degradation of dye molecules.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis, characterization, and enhanced photocatalytic properties of NiWO4 nanobricks

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
11 Jun 2017
Accepted
30 Jun 2017
First published
30 Jun 2017

New J. Chem., 2017,41, 8178-8186

Synthesis, characterization, and enhanced photocatalytic properties of NiWO4 nanobricks

S. M. AlShehri, J. Ahmed, A. M. Alzahrani and T. Ahamad, New J. Chem., 2017, 41, 8178 DOI: 10.1039/C7NJ02085F

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