Efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction by visible-light responsive Fe-doped WO3 nanostructures

Abstract

The nanoparticles of WO₃ doped with Fe ions have been employed for University, Kermanshah photocatalytic conversion of greenhouse gaseous of CO₂ and CH₄ under visible-light irradiation. The photocatalysts have been characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDX, Raman, UV-vis, and PL techniques. The XRD and Raman spectroscopies confirm the monoclinic structure of WO₃ nanoparticles and also the successful incorporation of Fe ions into WO₃ lattice. A red shift in Raman patterns of Fe-doped WO₃ samples indicate the partial substitution of W with Fe ions and the structural defects induced in WO₃ crystals upon doping treatment. The recorded PL signals reveal that the charge carrier recombination rate can be inhibited by doping WO₃ with Fe ions. The modified samples show high activity by photons with wavelength equal to/greater than ~500 nm, the visible-light in green region. The best photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ is provided to be 38.7% by WO₃ containing 4.18 at.% Fe under visible-light. Ethane, and formate and acetate derivatives are detected as the major products of CO₂ reduction.