Pronounced effects of the nominal concentrations of WO3 and Ag: WO3 nano-plates (obtained by a co-precipitation method) on their structural, morphological and optical properties

Abstract

Tungsten oxide and different concentration of silver (Ag)-doped tungsten oxide nano material were synthesized by co-precipitation technique. The functional vibrations, structure, and morphology of as-prepared nano material were studied by Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) techniques. The SEM and HR-TEM analysis revealed the formation of nano-plate/nano rods with an average diameter of 40–80 nm diameter and 1–1.5 mm length. Fluorescence (PL) and UV–visible absorption techniques have been used to study the optical properties of the prepared nanoparticles. The observed red shift in the visible absorption spectra confirmed the promoted electron–phonon interaction in WO3 and Ag: WO3 nanoparticles compared to bulk structures. The photoluminescence of nanocrystalline Ag2+ doped WO3 exhibited a strong violet–blue, blue–green emission. Concentration dependence of the emission intensity of Ag2+ in WO3 was studied, and the significant concentration was found to be 0.5% of Ag: WO3. The effluent dye degradation executed for the 0.5% of Ag: WO3 sample under the visible light which reveals the highest degradation efficiency in appropriate time.