Synthesis of Se nanoparticles by using TSA ion and its photocatalytic application for decolorization of cango red under UV irradiation

Abstract In this study, we describe a size-controlled synthesis of selenium nanoparticles based on the reduction of selenious acid (H2SeO3) by UV-irradiated tungstosilicate acid (H4SiW12O40, TSA) solution which serves both as reducing reagent and stabilizer. The nanoparticles are characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the Raman spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Zetasizer, respectively. The characteristic catalytic behavior of the Se nanoparticles is established by studying the decolorization of cango red in the presence of UV light. It is obvious that selenium catalyzes the reaction efficiently. The results show that the rate of dye decolorization varies linearly with the nanoparticle concentration and the rate of dye decolorization decreases with the size of the Se nanoparticles increasing.