Facile preparation of CuWO4 porous films and their photoelectrochemical properties

Dewetted Silver Nanoparticle-Dispersed WO3 Heterojunction Nanostructures on Glass Fibers for Efficient Visible-Light-Active Photocatalysis by Magnetron Sputtering

Fabrication of hybrid-heterojunction nanostructures comprising the Z-scheme and localized surface plasmon resonance is essential for enhancing the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds to enable environmental remediation. This study focuses on the dispersion of dewetted Ag nanoparticles over the 3D network-like silica glass fibers (SGFs) coated with a Cu-doped WO3 heterojunction system by a high-throughput and cost-effective method using magnetron sputtering, followed by solid-state dewetting. The influence of Cu doping on the crystal structure, growth direction, and morphology of WO3 and the effect of localized surface diffusion-driven dewetted Ag nanoparticles on the photocatalytic performance were investigated. The Cu doping changed the optical band gap, and the 2Cu-WO3/SGF exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity. The surface dispersion of dewetted Ag nanoparticles over Cu-WO3/SGFs exhibited lowest photoluminescence intensity, indicating the effective separation of photogenerated electrons-holes, which led to highest efficiency (∼98%) in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue among all the fibers with a degradation rate constant (k = 0.0205 min-1) that was ∼18.6 times higher than that of pure WO3 (k = 0.0011 min-1). The findings of this study can provide insights for designing low-cost and efficient visible-light-active photocatalysts for organic dye degradation, enabling environmental remediation.

Investigation of enhanced electro-catalytic HER/OER performances of copper tungsten oxide@reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites in alkaline and acidic media

In this paper, we investigate the electro-catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of synthesized copper tungsten oxide@reduced graphene oxide (CuWO4@rGO) nanocomposites.

Dual-strategy biosensing of glucose based on multifunctional CuWO4 nanoparticles

The multifunctional CuWO4 NPs were prepared and exhibit large specific surface area, good conductivity and excellent peroxidase-like activity, which was exploited for electrochemical and colorimetric dual-strategy biosensing of glucose.

Tunning of Templated CuWO4 Nanorods Arrays Thickness to Improve Photoanode Water Splitting

The fabrication of the photoanode of the n-type CuWO₄ nanorod arrays was successfully carried out through electrochemical deposition using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) control templates and for the first time produced distinct gaps between the nanorod arrays. The effectiveness and efficiency of the resulting deposition was shown by the performance of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) procedure with a current density of 1.02 mA cm⁻² with irradiation using standard AM 1.5G solar simulator and electron changed radiation of 0.72% with a bias potential of 0.71 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The gap between each nanorod indicated an optimization of the electrolyte penetration on the interface, which resulted in the expansion of the current density as much as 0.5 × 10²⁴ cm⁻³ with a flat band potential of 0.14 V vs. Ag/AgCl and also a peak quantum efficiency of wavelength 410 nm. Thus, also indicating the gaps between the nanorod arrays is a promising structure to optimize the performance of the PEC water splitting procedure as a sustainable energy source.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of CuWO4 Doped TiO2 Photocatalyst Towards Carbamazepine Removal under UV Irradiation

Abatement of contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) in water sources has been widely studied employing TiO2 based heterogeneous photocatalysis. However, low quantum energy yield among other limitations of titania has led to its modification with other semiconductor materials for improved photocatalytic activity. In this work, a 0.05 wt.% CuWO4 over TiO2 was prepared as a powder composite. Each component part synthesized via the sol-gel method for TiO2, and CuWO4 by co-precipitation assisted hydrothermal method from precursor salts, underwent gentle mechanical agitation. Homogenization of the nanopowder precursors was performed by zirconia ball milling for 2 h. The final material was obtained after annealing at 500 °C for 3.5 h. Structural and morphological characterization of the synthesized material has been achieved employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, Scanning electron microscopy-coupled Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) for optical characterization. The 0.05 wt.% CuWO4-TiO2 catalyst was investigated for its photocatalytic activity over carbamazepine (CBZ), achieving a degradation of almost 100% after 2 h irradiation. A comparison with pure TiO2 prepared under those same conditions was made. The effect of pH, chemical scavengers, H2O2 as well as contaminant ion effects (anions, cations), and humic acid (HA) was investigated, and their related influences on the photocatalyst efficiency towards CBZ degradation highlighted accordingly.

Tuning the photoelectric response of pyrene-based coordination polymers by optimizing charge transfer

Three π–π stacked CPs were designed and synthesized for application of photoelectric response. The effect of charge transfer on the photoelectric properties is explored by adjusting the composition and π-stacking fashion of the CPs.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of the CuWO4/ZnO Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

Photocatalytic technology aiming to eliminate organic pollutants in water has been rapidly developed. In this work, we successfully synthesized CuWO₄/ZnO photocatalysts with different weight ratios of CuWO₄ through facile hydrothermal treatment. Crystal structures, forms, and optical properties of these as-prepared materials were investigated and analyzed. 3% CuWO₄/ZnO showed the optimum photodegradation efficiency toward methylene blue under the irradiation of simulated sunlight for 120 min, the degradation rate of which was 98.9%. The pseudo-first-order rate constant of 3% CuWO₄/ZnO was ∼11.3 and ∼3.5 times bigger than that of pristine CuWO₄ and ZnO, respectively. Furthermore, the material exhibited high stability and reusability after five consecutive photocatalytic tests. In addition, free radical capture experiments were conducted and the possible mechanism proposed explained that the synergistic effect between CuWO₄ and ZnO accelerates the photodegradation reaction. This work provides a feasible technical background for the efficient and sustainable utilization of photocatalysts in wastewater control.

Photocurrent Response and Progesterone Degradation by Employing WO3 Films Modified with Platinum and Silver Nanoparticles

The effect of silver (Ag⁰ ) and platinum (Pt⁰ ) metallic nanoparticles (NPs) on WO₃ film was investigated by studying the photocurrent response under polychromatic irradiation. The structural phase revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis indicates a monoclinic crystal nanostructure. WO_3, Ag⁰ /WO_3, and Pt⁰ /WO₃ electrodes were used to degrade 0.35 mg L^-1 progesterone hormone in aqueous solution under polychromatic irradiation for 3h. The studies on degradation were investigated under electrochemically assisted heterogeneous photocatalysis (EHP) conditions. For photodegradation of progesterone, higher performance was achieved when WO₃ was functionalized and when the EHP configuration was adopted with bias at +0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl. This study reveals that incorporation of metallic NPs onto a semiconductor increases its efficiency, thereby preventing electron-hole recombination in the photocatalyst and photoelectrochemical limitations of WO₃ due to surface plasmon resonance and the trapping state. Therefore, efficient advances in the degradation of organic contaminants during water treatment can be realized.

Synergistic effect of TiO2-CuWO4 on the photocatalytic degradation of atrazine

In this work, CuWO₄ is prepared and its effect of improving photocatalytic degradation of atrazine by TiO₂ as well as the synergetic mechanism is studied. Results show that the addition of CuWO₄ (50 mg/L) into the reaction system can significantly enhance the efficiency of atrazine degradation, resulting in an increased degradation efficiency of 92.1% after 270 min, which is 1.94 times higher than that of the single TiO₂. As the sintering temperate of CuWO₄ was increased, the degradation efficiency of atrazine increased initially and then deceased after reaching a maximum at 500 °C. The origin of the synergistic effect of TiO₂-CuWO₄ is attributed to the introduction of solid CuWO₄. The photochemical test results indicate that the photogenerated electrons transfer from irradiated TiO₂ to CuWO₄, which is beneficial to the O₂ reduction and H₂O₂ formation in aqueous solution thus promoting the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂. These observations unveil the importance of improving photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ with Cu-bearing semiconductors.

A glassy carbon electrode modified with a copper tungstate and polyaniline nanocomposite for voltammetric determination of quercetin

A binary nanocomposite of type copper tungstate and polyaniline (CuWO₄@PANI) is described that was obtained by single step polymerization on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The resulting electrode is shown to be a viable tool for voltammetric sensing of quercetin (Qn) in blood, urine and certain food samples. The nanocomposite was characterized by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Differential pulse voltammetry was applied to quantify Qn, typically at the relatively low working potential of 0.15 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The modified GCE has a wide analytical range (0.001-0.500 μM) and a low detection limit (1.2 nM). The sensor is reproducible, selective and stable. This makes it suitable for determination of Qn in real samples without complicated sample pretreatment. Graphical abstract Schematic of a copper tungstate and polyaniline nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode for voltammetric determination of quercetin in real samples.

Nanostructured Ternary Metal Tungstate-Based Photocatalysts for Environmental Purification and Solar Water Splitting: A Review

Visible-light-responsive ternary metal tungstate (MWO₄) photocatalysts are being increasingly investigated for energy conversion and environmental purification applications owing to their striking features, including low cost, eco-friendliness, and high stability under acidic and oxidative conditions. However, rapid recombination of photoinduced electron-hole pairs and a narrow light response range to the solar spectrum lead to low photocatalytic activity of MWO₄-based materials, thus significantly hampering their wide usage in practice. To enable their widespread practical usage, significant efforts have been devoted, by developing new concepts and innovative strategies. In this review, we aim to provide an integrated overview of the fundamentals and recent progress of MWO₄-based photocatalysts. Furthermore, different strategies, including morphological control, surface modification, heteroatom doping, and heterojunction fabrication, which are employed to promote the photocatalytic activities of MWO₄-based materials, are systematically summarized and discussed. Finally, existing challenges and a future perspective are also provided to shed light on the development of highly efficient MWO₄-based photocatalysts.