Abstract
A traditional semiconductor (WO&sub3;) was synthesized from different precursors via hydrothermal crystallization targeting the achievement of three different crystal shapes (nanoplates, nanorods and nanostars). The obtained WO&sub3; microcrystals were analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). These methods contributed to the detailed analysis of the crystal morphology and structural features. The synthesized bare WO&sub3; photocatalysts were totally inactive, while the P25/WO&sub3; composites were efficient under UV light radiation. Furthermore, the maximum achieved activity was even higher than the bare P25's photocatalytic performance. A correlation was established between the shape of the WO&sub3; crystallites and the observed photocatalytic activity registered during the degradation of different substrates by using P25/WO&sub3; composites.