We have reported a novel fabrication method for WO3, In(OH)3 and InOOH semiconductors  by hydrothermal process. Hydrothermal decomposition of indium oxalate hydrate results in In(OH)3 at 180 �C and in InOOH at 225 �C.  Sodium tungstate with oxalic acid in a hydrothermal process at various pH results nanorods and two different types of microspheres WO3 which were self-assembled by nanocubes and nanowires, respectively. The influence of hydrothermal experimental conditions such as temperature, time and counter ion, pH, and oxalic acid concentration on the formation of the above mentioned materials was investigated. The self-assembly process was strongly influenced by the above mentioned experimental conditions. The synthesized materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), thermal analysis (TGA and DTA), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The XRD patterns indicated the formation of well crystallized cubic phase In(OH)3, In2O3, and orthorhombic InOOH. The photocatalytic Cr (VI) reduction by using the synthesized WO3, In(OH)3 and InOOH semiconductors under UV light irradiation was investigated. The photocatalytic experiment showed superior photocatalytic activity of WO3, In(OH)3 and InOOH having higher efficiency than TiO2.

Synthesis of nano/micro structured semiconductor materials for environmental remediation process

244th National Meeting (2012)

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