Construction of photocatalyst by modification of argentum noble metal and hydrogen doping into WO3 nanoparticles: Enhancing the solar energy utilization

Abstract

Solar energy is considered sustainable green energy to prevent environmental pollution. Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is one of the attractive solar energy-driven photocatalysts and photocatalytic supports. Besides, Hydrogen (H) has a small size and can move into many inorganic compounds, and occupy the sites in microstructure as well, with little space structure expansion. H doping in semiconductors attracts more and more attention due to its effect of providing free carriers, resulting in localized surface plasmon resonances which can improve the utilization efficiency of solar energy. In our research, we developed a new method to prepare the H-doped WO3 whose color turned green, and to prepare Ag/HxWO3, which could extend the solar light response range to near-infrared. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity to degrade RhB solution under UV light and visible light was both improved. The density of free electrons is based on the Drude model to discuss the mechanism of photocatalysis upon the visible. The contact of noble metal Ag and HxWO3 can play a vital effect in the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The localized surface plasmon resonances and green coloration bring the tungsten trioxide more remarkable performance together. Results showed that constructed photocatalysis of this work greatly enhanced the utilization rate of solar energy. Photocatalytic for the Degradation of liquid organic pollutants with HxWO3 is believed to have a bright feature.