Synthesis, characterization, and visible light-induced photocatalytic evaluation of WO3/NaNbO3 composites for the degradation of 2,4-D herbicide

In this research study, WO3/NaNbO3-coupled photocatalysts were synthesized at three WO3 mass ratios (15, 85, and 95 wt%) and characterized. These composites were characterized via X-ray powder diffraction, N-2 physisorption, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Xray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence techniques. For comparison, bare WO3 and NaNbO3 were also synthesized and characterized. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was degraded under visible light to evaluate its photocatalytic performance. The WO3 (95 wt%)/NaNbO3 composite showed higher photocatalytic activity than pure WO3 and NaNbO3 and even than the 15 and 85 wt% coupled materials; thus, the combination with the highest ratio of WO3 with respect to NaNbO3 showed increased photocatalytic activity compared with the bare materials. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, WO3/NaNbO3-coupled photocatalysts with different ratios were synthesized and characterized, with the composite with the highest WO3 mass ratio showing enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to the bare materials.