WO3nanoparticles decorated on both sidewalls of highly porous TiO2nanotubes to improve UV and visible-light photocatalysis

Abstract

The hybrid structure of nanoparticle-decorated nanotubes has the advantage of both large specific surface areas of nanoparticles and anisotropic properties of nanotubes, which is desirable for many applications. In this study, WO₃ nanoparticles decorated on highly porous TiO₂ nanotubes along both internal and external sidewalls (WO₃@TiO₂@WO₃ heterostructures) were synthesized through emulsion electrospinning, thermal evaporation, and thermal annealing. The WO₃@TiO₂@WO₃ heterostructures had large specific surface areas, high porous structure and excellent interface (between WO₃ nanoparticles and TiO₂ nanotubes). Three other samples, TiO₂ nanofibers, TiO₂ nanotubes, and TiO₂ nanofibers decorated by WO₃ nanoparticles, were prepared in order to compare with the WO₃@TiO₂@WO₃ heterostructures for photocatalysis with both UV and visible light irradiation. The new material (WO₃@TiO₂@WO₃ heterostructures) had a wide range of light absorption and demonstrated the best photocatalytic performance. The possible growth mechanism and reasons for high photocatalysis are discussed in detail.