Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic behavior of WO(3)-fullerene/TiO(2 )catalysts under visible light

WO(3)-treated fullerene/TiO(2 )composites (WO(3)-fullerene/TiO(2)) were prepared using a sol-gel method. The composite obtained was characterized by BET surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-vis analysis. A methyl orange (MO) solution under visible light irradiation was used to determine the photocatalytic activity. Excellent photocatalytic degradation of a MO solution was observed using the WO(3)-fullerene, fullerene-TiO(2), and WO(3)-fullerene/TiO(2 )composites under visible light. An increase in photocatalytic activity was observed, and WO(3)-fullerene/TiO(2 )has the best photocatalytic activity; it may attribute to the increase of the photo-absorption effect by the fullerene and the cooperative effect of the WO(3).