Enhanced Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Properties of Yttrium-Doped Tungsten Oxide (WO₃) Nanorods Synthesized via Hydrothermal Method for Environmental Remediation

Abstract

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and performance of Yttrium (1-7 wt.%)-doped WO₃ photocatalysts for simultaneous organic dye degradation and bacterial inactivation. Physicochemical characterization was conducted using XRD, Raman, FESEM, TEM, and UV-DRS analysis. The 5% Y-doped WO₃ NRs exhibited optimal properties, including a reduced bandgap (2.65 eV) and decreased crystallite size (36 nm), compared to undoped WO₃. The photocatalytic activity was examined by monitoring the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and Methylene blue (MB) under light irradiation. The 5% Y-WO₃ NRs demonstrated superior performance, achieving 92% RhB and 89% MB degradation within 120 minutes. Analysis revealed pseudo-first-order chemical kinetic was observed with degradation rates of 0.02243 min⁻¹ for RhB and 0.01899 min⁻¹ for MB, representing a 2.5-fold increase compared to pure WO₃. The scavengers test confirms that (•OH) radicals play a crucial role in the photodegradation activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of 5% Y-WO₃ NRs is attributed to improved charge separation, reduced electron-hole recombination, and enhanced light absorption due to Y³⁺ doping. Further, the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was evaluated through the disc diffusion method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The 5% Y-doped WO₃ NRs exhibited significant antibacterial efficacy, with 16 mm and 15 mm inhibition zones for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, and MIC values of 100 μg/mL for both strains. This study demonstrates the potential of Y-doped WO₃ NRs as a multifunctional photocatalyst for simultaneous environmental remediation and disinfection applications, offering a sustainable solution to water treatment challenges. The Y-doped WO₃ nanorods offer the potential for optimization and scaling in applications like wastewater treatment, air purification, and filtration membranes for environmental remediation.