Solvothermal synthesis and characterization of monoclinic WO3 nanoplatelets: investigation of their photocatalytic performance

A facile and original approach based on a one-pot non-aqueous sol–gel solvothermal process was developed to synthesize 2D Tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoplatelets with an average size ranging from 30 to 50 nm, and a correspondingly high surface area. The structural, morphological, functional group, optical properties of the materials, and the properties of the adsorption surfaces were all investigated; the degree of surface hydroxyls (–OH groups) has been examined. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy techniques indicated the formation of di-hexyl ether as a result of the solvothermal reaction. The optical absorption, measured using UV–Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, revealed a narrow bandgap (Eg = 2.18 and 2.48 eV for WO3-24 and WO3-48, respectively) compared to that of for bulk WO3 (2.7 eV), attributable to oxygen vacancies. The as-prepared WO3 nanoplatelets displayed excellent photocatalytic performance for degrading Rhodamine B under visible light-emitting diode light with up 99% degradation rate that was achieved in 120 min. Thus, the enhanced Rhodamine B photodegradation in the presence of WO3-24 along with H2O2 was assigned to the reactive oxygen species such as ·OH and RhB*+, involving in the strong synergistic effect between WO3 and H2O2, effectively separating of photocarriers and, as a consequence, boosting the photocatalytic efficiency.