Properties, optimized morphologies, and advanced strategies for photocatalytic applications of WO3 based photocatalysts

Pooja Shandilya; Shabnam Sambyal; Rohit Sharma; Parteek Mandyal; Baizeng Fang

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128218

Properties, optimized morphologies, and advanced strategies for photocatalytic applications of WO₃ based photocatalysts

J Hazard Mater. 2022 Apr 15:428:128218. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128218. Epub 2022 Jan 7.

Authors

Pooja Shandilya¹, Shabnam Sambyal², Rohit Sharma², Parteek Mandyal², Baizeng Fang³

Affiliations

¹ School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, HP 173229, India. Electronic address: poojashandil03@gmail.com.
² School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, HP 173229, India.
³ Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6P 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: bfang@chbe.ubc.ca.

PMID: 35030486
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128218

Abstract

The development of WO₃ based photocatalysts has gained considerable attention across the world, especially in the realm of environmental remediation and energy production. WO₃ has a band gap of 2.5- 2.7 eV that falls under the visible region and is thus a potential candidate to utilize in various photocatalytic processes. As an earth-abundant metal oxide, WO₃ discovered in 1976 displayed excellent electronic and morphological properties, good stability, and enhanced photoactivity with diverse crystal phases. Also, it unveils non-toxicity, high stability in drastic conditions, biocompatibility, low cost, excellent hole mobility (10 cm² V^-1s^-1), and tunable band gap. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the different properties of WO₃ inclusive of crystallographic, electrical, optical, thermoelectrical, and ferroelectric properties. The different morphologies of WO₃ based on dimensions were obtained by adopting different fabrication methods including inspecting their effects on the efficiency of WO₃. Numerous strategies to construct an ideal photocatalyst such as engineering crystal facets, surface defects, doping, heterojunction formation explaining specifically type-II, Z-scheme, and S-scheme mechanisms with addition to carbonaceous based WO₃ nanocomposites are summed up to explore the photocatalytic performance. The typical application of WO₃ is deliberated in detail involving the role and efficiency of WO₃ in pollutant degradation, CO₂ photoreduction, and water splitting. Besides, other applications of WO₃ as gas-sensor, bio-sensor, decomposition of VOCs, heavy metals ions adsorption, and antimicrobial property are also included. Moreover, the numerous aspects responsible for the high efficiency of WO₃-based nanocomposites with their challenges, opportunities, and future aspects are summarized. Hopefully, this review may inspire researchers to explore new ideas to boost the production of clean energy for the next generation.

Keywords: CO(2) photoreduction; Defects; Heterojunction; Non-stoichiometric WO(3−x); Photodegradation; S-scheme; Water splitting.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Catalysis
Nanocomposites*
Oxides*

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Oxides