Coupled semiconductor systems for photocatalysis. Preparation and characterization of polycrystalline mixed WO3/WS2 powders

Mixed WO3/WS2 powders were prepared by oxidation of WS2. The physical prope rties of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, diffuse refle ctance-spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy; they were strongly d ependent upon the time and temperature of oxidation. The chemical state and the elemental distribution of the sample surface were investigated by X-ra y photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic results have showed that t he aqueous suspensions of the mixed WO3/WS2 systems have significantly high er activities than pure WS2 and WO3 for the photodegradation of phenol. The enhanced performance can be related to the presence of heterojunctions WO3 /WS2 On the single particles. The best results were obtained when the surfa ce WS2 molar fraction was about 0.5.