Facile preparation of efficient WOphotocatalysts based on surface modification

Abstract

Tungsten trioxide (WO was surface modified with Cu(II) nanoclusters and titanium dioxide (TiO nanopowders by using a simple impregnation method followed by a physical combining method. The obtained nanocomposites were studied by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra, UV-visible light spectra, and photoluminescence, respectively. Although the photocatalytic activity of WOwas negligible under visible light irradiation, the visible light photocatalytic activity of WOwas drastically enhanced by surface modification of Cu(II) nanoclusters and TiOnanopowders. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is due to the efficient charge separation by TiOand Cu(II) nanoclusters functioning as cocatalysts on the surface. Thus, this simple strategy provides a facile route to prepare efficient visible-light-active photocatalysts for practical application.