A novel approach to synthesize nanostructured WO3 and graphene/WO3 nanocomposites: Structural and morphological investigations

Nanostructured metal oxide based nanocomposites have attracted considerable attention due to their promising and remarkable properties. In the present study, a novel method is developed for the preparation of Graphene oxide (GO)/tungsten oxide WO3 nanocomposites by using tungsten carbide (WC) and graphite as precursors. (GO)/WO3 nanocomposites are prepared via in situ and ex situ chemical approaches followed by subsequent thermal treatment at 500 °C. The obtained samples were characterized by different techniques to confirm the transformation of WC to WO3 nanostructures and the formation of their nanocomposites with carbon nanostructures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicates that the WO3 nanoparticles were fine crystallized with a monoclinic phase even after interaction with GO for the ex situ prepared GO/WO3 and different phases of WO3 appeared during their growth in situ in the presence of graphite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images reveal the rods-like shape of WO3 nanostructures with uniform distribution onto the RGO nanosheets. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirms the interaction and charge transfer between the components. The experimental results reveal the efficiency of the proposed approach that opens up a promising route to prepare G/WO3 nanocomposites for many applications.