Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Photocatalytic Performance of Mesoporous W-MCM-48

Tungsten-containing mesoporous MCM-48 was synthesized by a rapid and facile room-temperature procedure. The mesoporous structure and the local environment of tungsten species were studied by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption isotherms, UV−visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and Raman spectrometry. The long-range ordered mesoporous structure of MCM-48 was well preserved after tungsten incorporation. Tungsten oxide species were highly dispersed in the MCM-48 matrix, and no bulk crystalline WO 3 was formed. The as-prepared W-MCM-48 materials show notable photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution from a methanol−water mixture under UV irradiation though bulk WO 3 is not active for the reaction. The photocatalytic mechanism was studied by electron spin resonance spectroscopy.