Optical Characterization of Photocatalytic Tungsten Oxide/Tin Oxide (〖WO〗_3/〖SnO〗_2) Thin Films for Use in Degradation of Water Pollutants

Authors

Victor Isahi, Department of Biological & Physical Sciences, Kabarak University, P.O. Box Private Bag, 20157, Kabarak, KenyaFollow
Christopher Maghanga, Department of Biological & Physical Sciences, Kabarak University, P.O. Box Private Bag, 20157, Kabarak, KenyaFollow
Mghendi Mwamburi, Department of Physics, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125 - 30100, Eldoret, KenyaFollow
Onesmus Munyati, Departmet of Chemistry, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, ZambiaFollow
Sylvester Hatwaambo, Department of Physics, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, ZambiaFollow
Emmanuel Akoto, Department of Biological & Physical Sciences, Kabarak University, P.O. Box Private Bag, 20157, Kabarak, KenyaFollow
Wycliffe Isoe, Department of Physics, Masinde Muliro University, P.O. Box 190 -50100, Kakamega, KenyaFollow
Mir Waqas Alam, Department of Physics, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi ArabiaFollow

Section

Physical Sciences

Abstract

Organic pollutants in water have been a challenge and pose significant risks to human health. As a result, research efforts to eliminate these pollutants have been on the rise. Photocatalysis has shown incredible potential in water treatment containing organic pollutants since it is affordable and utilizes solar energy. Tin oxide ( ) has ardently been investigated as a photocatalyst for water treatment due to its remarkable properties such as; non-toxicity, and stability. However, its wide band gap and the tendency for some electrons and holes to recombine during its use have been cited to be among limiting factors affecting its effectiveness. This study, therefore, aimed to optimize  thin films by doping it with varied proportions of Tungsten oxide ( ) using Sol-gel technique and investigating the effects of  doping on the optical and photocatalytic properties of the prepared films. From the results, the calculated rate constants for  and (1.5%wt.) were 0.00256 min-1 and 0.00519 min-1, respectively, and the corresponding band gaps were 3.82 and 3.03 eV, suggesting that doping improved the optical absorbance of the films and caused a red shift of the absorption edge of the films. These results show  is a good candidate for photocatalytic water treatment.

Recommended Citation

Isahi, Victor; Maghanga, Christopher; Mwamburi, Mghendi; Munyati, Onesmus; Hatwaambo, Sylvester; Akoto, Emmanuel; Isoe, Wycliffe; and Alam, Mir Waqas (2023) "Optical Characterization of Photocatalytic Tungsten Oxide/Tin Oxide (〖WO〗_3/〖SnO〗_2) Thin Films for Use in Degradation of Water Pollutants," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 49: Iss. 3, Article 7.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i3.7