CuWO4 Nanoparticles: Investigation of Dielectric, Electrochemical Behaviour and Photodegradation of Pharmaceutical Waste

Abstract

The hydrothermally synthesized CuWO4 nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized with different analysis such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), UV-Visible and Photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The prepared CuWO4 NPs were examined with Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). SEM images show that CuWO4 NPs are highly spherical shaped morphology and porous in nature. The optical band gap of prepared CuWO4 NPs is found to be 2.12 eV. Photodegradation of diclofenac sodium (DFS) (medical waste) in the aqueous medium with CuWO4 NPs under visible light irradiation shows 98% degradation. The CuWO4 NPs was stable up to 5th cycle it can be used as a reusable photocatalyst for the DFS degradation. The electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of the CuWO4 NPs at room temperature is analyzed by EIS studies. The bulk conductivity value of the prepared nanoparticles is 1.477×10-5 S/cm at room temperature. The conductivity of CuWO4 NPs is found to be due to electrons movement. The CuWO4 NPs shows higher photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activity for decomposition of DFS and methanol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium respectively.