Ho2WO6/ZnO nanoflakes for photo–electrochemical and self cleaning applications

Abstract

Solar photocatalytic process has been shown to be an energy effective and ecofriendly degradation of unwanted pollutants present in the industry wastewater. In this study heterostructured 3 wt% Ho2WO6/ZnO was synthesized hydrothermally and characterised by surface analytical and spectral techniques. The HR–SEM images reveal that Ho2WO6/ZnO exists as nanoflakes with mesoporous microstructure clustered together. HR–TEM images reveal that prepared catalyst has hexagonal and spherical structure with uniform particle size. Ho2WO6/ZnO has more specific surface area (16.44 m2 g−1) than ZnO (11.80 m2 g−1). Reusable Ho2WO6/ZnO exhibited higher dye photodegradation efficiency, enhanced electrocatalytic activity by methanol oxidation and significant hydrophobicity.