Synthesis of nanoporous Zn-WO 3 by microwave irradiation method for photocatalytic applications

Nanoporous Zn-WO 3 was successfully synthesized by microwave irradiation method. The surface characterization of Zn-WO 3 was carried out using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Raman spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD shows the formation of orthorhombic structured WO 3 and Zn doped WO 3 materials. SEM images reveal the nanosphere and nanoporous morphologies of WO 3 and Zn-WO 3 . 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-WO 3 successfully decomposed the methylene blue under UV light irradiation. The effects of Zn-WO 3 dose and irradiation time for photodegradation of dye were also studied. The maximum dye removal efficiency of 91.7 % was achieved.