Synthesis of Sm2(WO4)3 nanocrystals via a statistically optimized route and their photocatalytic behavior

The application of a Taguchi approach to the optimization of the precipitation reaction between Sm3+ and as a rapid procedure for the preparation of Sm2(WO4)3 nanoparticles as a photocatalyst is evaluated. The effect of the prominent operating factors on the product are evaluated so as to yield the best synthesis conditions, leading to the finest product particles of the desired morphologies, which can turn the rather primitive precipitation reaction into a powerful tool for the preparation of nanostructured crystals of insoluble salts. The effects of the alteration of the studied factors on the final properties of the product are further evaluated through characterization techniques, including x-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results of the study, together with the analysis of variance operations, revealed that through the control of samarium and tungstate concentrations, and temperature, considerable results can be achieved in terms of the product dimensions, morphology, purity and structure. Moreover, the photocatalytic behavior of the synthesized samarium tungstate nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under ultraviolet light is investigated and compared with titanium dioxide as a well-known photocatalyst.