Crystalline phase formation of Na2W2O7 using microwave-assisted solution combustion synthesis for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants from aqueous solutions

Abstract

A novel combustion method, microwave assisted solution combustion (MASC), was first employed to synthesis Na2W2O7 nanoparticles, which were characterized by photoluminescence analysis (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The PL of prepared samples demonstrated a green emission, which was not reported before for this product prepared using the combustion method. Also, to improve the luminescence and photocatalytic properties of these particles, europium element was doped on Na2W2O7 structure that the emission peak of host crystals was shifted to the red-light wavelength. Photocatalytic activities of the Na2W2O7 synthesized crystals were studied and the Genetic Algorithm (GA) method was used to optimize the photodegradation process using the response surface methodology (RSM). To recognize the advanced models adequacy and reveal good agreement between the offered model and the experimental data, statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. Based on the results, technologically advanced catalytic treatment and models can be used effectively to remove organic pollutants consisting of AZO bonds from water supplies.