Simple preparation of WO3-ZnO composites with UV-Vis photocatalytic activity and energy storage ability

A series of WO3-ZnO composites with different WO3 contents was successfully prepared via a simple aqueous solution route at low temperature. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS). Photocatalytic activity and energy storage ability of the as-prepared WO3-ZnO composites were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution. Compared with pure ZnO and P25, WO3-ZnO composites show the higher degradation efficiency under UV-Vis light irradiation. After light irradiation, the maximum degradation efficiency in dark can reach 17.2% as the WO3 content of the composite is 5 mol%. In addition, photocatalysis and energy storage mechanisms of the WO3-ZnO composites were discussed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.