Synthesis and properties of nanocomposites of WO3 and exfoliated g-C3N4

Abstract The nanocomposites of WO3 nanoparticles and exfoliated graphitized C3N4 (g-C3N4) particles were prepared and their properties were studied. For this purpose, common methods used for characterization of solid samples were completed with dynamic light scattering (DLS) method and photocatalysis, which are suitable for study of aqueous dispersions. The WO3 nanoparticles of monoclinic structures were prepared by a hydrothermal method from sodium tungstate and g-C3N4 particles were prepared by calcination of melamine forming bulk g-C3N4, which was further thermally exfoliated. Its specific surface area (SSA) was 115 m2 g−1. The nanocomposites were prepared by mixing of WO3 nanoparticles and g-C3N4 structures in aqueous dispersions acidified by hydrochloric acid at pH = 2 followed by their separation and calcination at 450 °C. The real content of WO3 was determined at 19 wt%, 52 wt% and 63 wt%. It was found by the DLS analysis that the g-C3N4 particles were covered by the WO3 nanoparticles or their agglomerates creating the nanocomposites that were stable in aqueous dispersions even under intensive ultrasonic field. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) the average size of the pure WO3 nanoparticles and those in the nanocomposites was 73 nm and 72 nm, respectively. The formation of heterojunction between both components was investigated by UV–Vis diffuse reflectance (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photocatalysis and photocurrent measurements. The photocatalytic decomposition of phenol under the LED source of 416 nm identified the formation of Z-scheme heterojunction, which was confirmed by the photocurrents measurements. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites decreased with the increasing content of WO3, which was explained by shielding of the g-C3N4 surface by bigger WO3 agglomerates. This study also demonstrates a unique combination of various characterization techniques working in solid and liquid phase.