ZnWO4 nanoparticles as efficient photocatalyst for degradation of para-aminobenzoic acid: Impact of annealing temperature on photocatalytic performance

[Display omitted] •ZnWO4 nanoparticles were synthesized through an easy, solution-based synthetic route.•Annealing temperature was found important to change the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties.•ZnWO4 nanoparticles at 600 °C showed the highest mineralization (100 %) after 160 min of UV-A illumination.•High Stability with stable structure after 5 cycles of photocatalytic degradation. ZnWO4 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized through an easy, solution-based synthetic route and evaluated as efficient photocatalysts. In order to investigate the optimum temperature for the formation of ZnWO4 nanoparticles and demonstrate how their structural and morphological properties affect their photocatalytic performance, the effect of annealing temperature was studied at 400 °C–800 °C. The characteristics of all ZnWO4 particles obtained were investigated by X-ray diffraction technique as well as by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the particles was investigated by using para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) as a model pollutant. The sample, which was annealed at 600 °C, exhibited the best photocatalytic activity and, therefore, was further examined by Transmission Electron Microscopy, EDS mapping technique and UV–vis analysis. In order to examine the activity of synthesized ZnWO4 as a photocatalyst, the influence of pH solution and catalyst concentration were examined. Stability tests on the reuse of the concluded photocatalysts have revealed the effectiveness and retaining of the material properties.