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Highly efficient visible-light-driven WO3/Fe2(WO4)3·10.7H2O porous microplates have been fabricated for the first time by a simple one-step hydrothermal method using sodium tungstate and iron chloride as precursors. The photocatalyst was characterized by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-VIS absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From the FESEM and TEM analysis, the size of as-prepared porous microplates was estimated to be ca. 2 μm. The as-prepared sample maintained a high specific surface area (96.906 m2 g−1) and showed remarkably high photocatalytic performance (k = 0.06771 min−1) for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The improved performance of the product was found to be 3.3 times greater than pure WO3 and about 6.7 times greater than that of P25 TiO2. The enhanced optical absorption in the visible region, large specific surface area, suitable band position and efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs at the heterojunction interface between the two materials were the key factors involved in the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An easy, scalable and environmentally benign chemical method has been developed to synthesize micro strings of graphitic-C3N4 (msg-C3N4) through pre-treatment of melamine with HNO3 in alkaline solvent at low temperature. This methodology results in a unique string type morphology of msg-C3N4 with higher surface area. These msg-C3N4 micro strings were used as a photocatalyst under visible light for photodegradation of rhodamine B, methyl blue and methyl orange. The msg-C3N4 shows enhanced photodegradation efficiency due to its high surface area and favourable bandgap. The first order rate constant for msg-C3N4 was measured which confirms the higher performance of msg-C3N4 in comparison to other reported materials such as g-C3N4, Fe2O3/g-C3N4 and TiO2 nanotubes. Thus, the method developed here is favourable for the synthesis of materials with higher surface area and unique morphology, which are favourable for high photodegradation activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the synthesis of ZnV2O4 spinel oxide novel nanosheets via a template free route to explore its potential hydrogen storage properties for the first time. 2D layered nanostructures are excellent candidates for storage applications. This attracted our interest to synthesize novel spinel oxide nanosheets (NSNs) of ZnV2O4. The maximum value for hydrogen absorption in ZnV2O4 nanosheets at 473 K is 1.36 wt.% and 1.74 wt.% at 573 K, respectively. Our hydrogen storage measurements along ZnV2O4 reveal its superiority over previous reports on hydrogen absorption values concerning oxides, nitrides and chalcogenides. To understand the rate-limiting mechanism, various kinetics models are applied. The calculations show that kinetics is governed by 3D growth with constant interface velocity. The measurements point to ZnV2O4 spinel oxide as a promising hydrogen storage material. PL measurements demonstrate the potential for violet/blue optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel nanoflowers (NNF) of Nb3O7F have been synthesized by a facile template free route without using any surfactant. The evolution of these NNF have been studied by varying different reaction parameters. Using the UV-Vis spectra absorption peak the calculated bandgap was 2.9 eV. Organic dye rhodamine B (RhB) was degraded with average photodegradation efficiency of 87.8%, 94.23% and 99.7% with higher rate constant k = 1.1559, 1.9011 and 3.8862 for 0.005 g, 0.01 g and 0.1 g respectively. The rate constant for 0.1 g was found to be larger than for Nb2O5, commercial TiO2 Degussa P25, carbon modified Nb2O5/TiO2, g-C3N4, Fe2O3/g-C3N4 composites and SnNb2O6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]