Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of WO3 Nanoparticles Prepared by Underwater Impulse Discharge

An underwater impulse discharge was used for synthesis tungsten trioxide nanoparticles. The chemical composition and morphology of obtained particles were studied by using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The dynamic light scattering was used to measure the average particle diameter and zeta-potential. It was found that a monoclinic modification of tungsten trioxide was formed with an average particle diameter of about 60 nm. The photocatalytic performance of WO3 was estimated through the degradation of Rhodamine B under dark and UV irradiation conditions. The powder of WO3 exhibited great photocatalytic activity for photodegradation of Rhodamine B of 100% under UV irradiation for 50 min.