Effect of incorporation of La into WO3 nanorods for improving photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Abstract

In this paper, a facile approach to synthesizing La-doped WO3 nanorods (NRs) via a simple hydrothermal method. The effects of doping on the photocatalytic activity of WO3 have been explained in detail. The PL spectra indicate the higher charge carrier separation in 5%La-WO3 NRs. The 5%La-doped WO3 NRs exhibits higher photodegradation efficiency of rhodamine B (RhB) dye under visible light irradiation. The degradation rate constant of 5%La-WO3 NRs is 0.02633 min−1, 2.2 times greater than WO3. The scavenging test confirmed that the •OH and •O2− radicals were involved in the photodegradation process. Furthermore, the typical catalyst exhibits excellent photostability and reusability after three consecutive tests.