The Photocatalysis Properties of Heterostructured WO<sub>3</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> Composite Prepared by Waste WC-TiC Hardmetal

Abstract

We reported a facile hydrothermal route for the preparation of WO3TiO2 composite nanoparticles (TWCNs) using waste WC-TiC hardmetal in the presence of hydrofluoric acid (HF). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis were employed for structural and composition analyses of the TWCNs. Our results suggested that HF was not only strongly involved in the growth of WO3, but also played a critical role in the etching effect for TWCN product. The photocatalytic activity of TWCNs was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy. Dye molecules could be rapidly decomposed with TWCNs photocatalyst under visible light illumination. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to well matched band edge positions of WO3 and TiO2, and the large specific surface area of TWCNs in view of the incorporation of mesopores. The results presented here are expected to make a contribution toward the development of recycling waste resource delicately for photocatalytic water purification.