ZnO/WO3 composite for efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under solar light

Abstract

In this study, a ZnO/WO3 composite structure has been formed using a hydrothermal approach for the potential photocatalytic degradation of Methylene blue (MB) dye, one of the most frequent colorants found in textile wastewater. The main goal of the study was to investigate the impacts of ZnO content on the structural, morphological, and photocatalytic properties of the ZnO/WO3 composite structure. It was found that 5% ZnO/WO3 composite structure exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency under simulated solar light irradiation, achieving approximately 93.8% degradation of MB dye within 60 min (volume = 30 mL, catalyst mass = 3 mg, MB concentration = 5 ppm). The observed superior photocatalytic performance of the catalyst can be attributed to the optimal synergy between ZnO and WO3, which facilitated the improved light absorption and enhanced charge separation. It also highlights the potential of ZnO/WO3 composite structures for water treatment applications, offering an effective approach for the degradation of hazardous dye pollutants under solar light irradiation. © The Author(s) 2026.