Photodegradation of rhodamine B by WO3/glass foam visible-light third generation photocatalyst

This work focused on the evaluation of the photocatalytic activity of the glass foam, a chemically and physical stable support, coated with WO3–visible-light photoactive compound for degradation of rhodamine B. In this way, the removal of the rhodamine B in aqueous solution by WO3/glass foam was compared with the removal of rhodamine B by uncoated glass foam during the experimental stages of the photocatalytic tests: adsorption and visible-light irradiation. The uncoated sample presented no photocatalytic activity, whereas WO3/glass foam removed approximately 33% of rhodamine B from aqueous solution. Physical and chemical characterization of the photocatalyst was carried out by 3D scanning microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) coupled with scanning electrone microscopy (SEM).