Synthesis and Applications of γ-Tungsten Oxide Hierarchical Nanostructures

gamma-WO3 hierarchical nanostructures were synthesized by using a biomolecule-assisted hydrothermal approach between Na2WO4 center dot 2H(2)O and glycine acid (HOOC-CH2-NH2) in HCl solution. The phase, structure, and morphology of the as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The as-synthesized gamma-WO3 nanostructures exhibit super-hydrophobicity, photocatalytic activity, and enhanced anode performance for lithium ion batteries with three times the capacity of commercial graphite per unit volume, which may open up a wide range of potential applications in environmental protection and energy storage.