ZnO/WO3 nanocomposites: Pechini sol-gel synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance for desulfurization of thiophene

The aim of this study was to investigate and overcome thiophene sulfurcontaminants using high purity synthesized ZnO/WO3 nanocomposite andhomogeneous composition by Pechini sol-gel method at low temperature.Zinc oxide is one of the most dynamic elements known in this field, itspresence together with tungsten oxide prevents the crystallization of tungstennanoparticles. Fuzzy structure, percentage of elements, surface morphology,penetration reflection spectrum, and photocatalytic degradation of thiophenewere determined by XRD, EDS, SEM, and DRS analyses, respectively. DRS resultsindicate high light absorption, reduced bandgap due to the presence of WO3 aftercombination with ZnO, and increased efficiency. Finally, the nanocomposite withmore than 84% efficiency resulted in the degradation of oxidative desulfurizationof thiophene after 150 min under visible light.