Improved sensing and catalytic properties of Tungsten oxide nanorods using Gold nanoparticles

In present world, with industrial and scientific developments, the effective detection of toxic and hazardous gases, as well as the degradation of organic pollutants has become imperative. Among other materials, tungsten oxide has attracted greater attentions for its distinctive photocatalytic and electrochromic properties. Many attempts have been made to enhance the gas sensitivity of semiconductor gas sensors, one of which involved the doping of dopants in the films.Also, the photocatalytic properties are usually known to improve by functionalizing the material with catalytical active metals (Pt, Pd and Au). Present protocols for synthesizing such materials often require high temperature and induce impurities in the final products when catalysts and templates are introduced into the reaction system, further limiting their application field.

In a current study carried out in China, a self-assembly approach for building nanoarchitectures with WO₃ nanorods (WO₃ NRs) and Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) as building blocks and further fabricating chemical sensors with highly enhanced performances has been reported. It is generally considered that monodispersed Au NPs act as a catalyst not only in the gas response but also in the photocatalytic activity.

Compared with pure WO₃NRs, Au NP@WO₃ NRs exhibit not only highly improved response and selectivity for H₂ gas detection but also high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B(RhB) under irradiation of simulated sunlight.

For further details, please read : J. Phys. Chem. C, Article ASAP

Authors: Q. Xiang, G. F. Meng, H. B. Zhao, Y. Zhang, H. Li, W. J. Ma and J. Q. Xu