Eu2+ and Eu3+ Doubly Doped ZnWO4 Nanoplates with Superior Photocatalytic Performance for Dye Degradation

• Main Authors: Yuan Ming Huang, Ming Yu Li, Long Yang, Bao-gai Zhai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-09-01
• Series: Nanomaterials
• Subjects: ZnWO4 nanoplates; facet engineering; Eu doping; photocatalytic performance; hydrothermal method
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/8/10/765

Eu2+ and Eu3+ doubly doped ZnWO4 nanoplates with highly exposed {100} facets were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route in the presence of surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide. These ZnWO4 nanoplates were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, diffuse UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectrophotometry, and photoluminescence lifetime spectroscopy to determine their morphological, structural, chemical, and optical characteristics. It is found that Eu-doped ZnWO4 nanoplates exhibit superior photo-oxidative capability to completely mineralize the methyl orange into CO2 and H2O, whereas undoped ZnWO4 nanoparticles can only cleave the organic molecules into fragments. The superior photocatalytic performance of Eu-doped ZnWO4 nanoplates can be attributed to the cooperative effects of crystal facet engineering and defect engineering. This is a valuable report on crystal facet engineering in combination with defect engineering for the development of highly efficient photocatalysts.