Novel full spectrum photocatalyst based on Pd nanoparticles decorating F doped (NH4)0.33WO3 nanorods

Abstract An F-(NH4)0.33WO3 nanorod/Pd nanoparticle heterostructure as a novel full spectrum photocatalyst was synthesized by the chemical reduction method. Pd nanoparticles with the diameters in the 5–20 nm region were uniformly attached to F-(NH4)0.33WO3 nanorods. The prepared F-(NH4)0.33WO3/Pd nanocomposites exhibit an enhanced full spectrum photocatalytic performance. In particular, 91% of RhB was degraded by the nanocomposites after NIR irradiation within 180min. The improvement in the photocatalytic performance of the F-(NH4)0.33WO3/Pd nanocomposites is ascribed to the efficient transfer of photogenerated electrons from the F-(NH4)0.33WO3 nanorods to the Pd nanoparticles. A possible photocatalytic mechanism for RhB degradation over F-(NH4)0.33WO3/Pd under UV, visible and NIR irradiation was proposed.