Nanocrystalline samarium tungstate: facile morphology-controlled preparation, characterization and investigation of optical and photocatalytic properties

摘要

In the current study, samarium tungstate Sm_2(WO_4)_3 nanoparticles were synthesized via a new route based on the reaction between samarium nitrate hexahy- drate and sodium tungstate dihydrate in an aqueous solution. Besides, three amino acids such as cysteine, alanine, and glycine were introduce as capping agents and their effects on the morphology and particle size of Sm_2(WO_4)_3 were investigated. It was found that size and morphology could be easily realized by changing the type of amino acids. XRD, SEM, EDS, and UV-Vis spectroscopy were employed to characterize structural, morphological, and optical properties of Sm_2(WO_4)_3 nanoparticles. Sm_2(WO_4)_3 nanoparticles indicated a paramagnetic behavior at room temperature, as evidenced by using vibrating sample magnetometer. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties of as synthesized Sm_2(WO_4)_3 were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange as water contaminant.