A Synergy of ZnO and ZnWO(4) in Composite Nanostructures Deduced from Optical Properties and Photocatalysis

• Published in: Journal of cluster science Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 679 - 688
• Main Authors: Savic, Tatjana D, Validzic, Ivana Lj, Novakovic, Tatjana B, Vukovic, Zorica M, Comor, Mirjana I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-09-2013
• Subjects: Crystallinity; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Optical properties; Photocatalysis; Zinc oxide
• DOI: 10.1007/s10876-013-0562-7
• ISSN: 1040-7278

ZnO/ZnWO(4) composite rod-like nanoparticles were synthesized by low-temperature soft solution method at 95 degree C with different reaction times (1-120 h), in the presence of non-ionic copolymer surfactant Pluronic F68. Obtained nanoparticles had diameters in the range around 10 nm and length of 30 nm. Optical properties such as reflection and room temperature photoluminescence of obtained samples showed strong dependence on their crystallinity and composition. Photo-catalytic activity of ZnO/ZnWO(4) nanopowders was checked using photodegradation of selected dyes as model system. Obtained results were correlated with specific surface area, particle sizes, crystallinity and ZnO/ZnWO(4) ratio of the samples. As crystallinity of ZnWO(4) component in the ZnO/ZnWO(4) increase, photocatalytic activity also increases. The main findings can be explained by charge transfer reactions that follow light absorption by ZnO and ZnWO(4) in nanocomposite.