Structure, Optics, Visible Light and Photocatalytic Activity of Pure and Pd Doped Tungsten Trioxide Nanoparticles Synthetized by the Microwave Irradiation Method

In view of enhanced Pc applications, doped materials have drawn much attention.The present work focused on synthesizing pure and Pd doped WO3 Np, which were used as Pc for MB and RhB aqueous solutions discoloration, under VL, by a unique MWI technique.XRD and TEM studies revealed that Pd dopant did not influence WO3 samples structure and morphology, since they had mono-dispersed spherical forms, with an average diameter of about 50-30 nm.Optical spectra showed a red shift in the absorption edges, with an increase in Ct of Pd from 0 to 10 wt%, which indicates the decrease in Eg of WO3 with Pd doping.Eg was calculated as 3.02, 2.84 and 2.73 eV, for pure and Pd (5 and 10 wt%) doped WO3 samples, respectively.Pc intensity of Pd doped WO3 was significantly higher than that of the pure one.This was due to the recombination of photo-excited electrons and holes.Pc activities of pure and Pd doped WO3 samples were analyzed based on their ability to degrade MB and RhB dyes under VL.Pd doped WO3 showed better Pc degradation, due to an increase in SA, and a decrease in Eg and O vacancies.