Synthesis and Properties of ZnO/ZnWO4-Nanocomposites for Photoelectrochemical Applications

A series of ZnO/ZnWO 4 nanocomposites with different ZnWO 4 content, are electrochemically synthesized under pulse alternating current starting from ZnO and WO 3 nanopowders. A complex of physicochemical methods (X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis) was used to study the composition and structural characteristics of the obtained materials. The nanocomposite with optimal composition (ZnWO 4 ~6%) was used as a photoanode material for a flow photocatalytic fuel cell with sulfate electrolyte added with organic and inorganic fuel. The maximum values of E oc (850 mV) and P max (85.8 μW/cm 2 ) are achieved using Na 2 SO 4 with the addition of glucose as a fuel.