WO3 nanopowders as efficient photocatalysts for paracetamol degradation

Authors

  • G.Zh. Assilbekova Institute of Applied Science and Information Technologies, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Al Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author
  • A.A. Markhabayeva Institute of Applied Science and Information Technologies, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Al Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author
  • R.R. Nemkayeva Institute of Applied Science and Information Technologies, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Al Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author
  • B.Ye. Zhumadilov Institute of Applied Science and Information Technologies, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Al Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author
  • R.Ye. Zhumadilov Institute of Applied Science and Information Technologies, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Al Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author
  • N.Ye. Akhanova Institute of Applied Science and Information Technologies, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author
  • G.A. Kaliyeva School-Lyceum 131 named after B. Momyshuly, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author
  • M.T. Gabdullin Institute of Applied Science and Information Technologies, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author
  • Ye. Yerlanuly Institute of Applied Science and Information Technologies, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Central Asian Institute of Advanced Science, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32523/ejpfm.2026100206

Keywords:

photocatalysis, nanopowders, paracetamol, pharmaceutical pollutants, kinetics, water treatment

Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol, a widely detected pharmaceutical contaminant, was investigated using WO3 nanopowders synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The obtained materials exhibited a hierarchical micro/nanostructured morphology composed of interconnected grains and well-defined nanoplate-like particles. Optical characterization revealed an indirect band gap of approximately 2.9 eV. The photocatalytic performance of WO3 was evaluated under light irradiation, demonstrating a gradual decrease in paracetamol concentration with increasing irradiation time. The degradation process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with an apparent rate constant ( kapp ) of 2.54 * 10-2 min -1 . The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the developed surface morphology and improved charge transport within the interconnected structure. These results highlight the potential of WO3 nanopowders as effective photocatalysts for the removal of pharmaceutical pollutants from aqueous environments.

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Published

2026-06-15

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): Volume 10, Number 2 (2026)

Section

Articles

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

(1)
Assilbekova, G.; Markhabayeva, A.; Nemkayeva, R.; Zhumadilov, B.; Zhumadilov, R.; Akhanova, N.; Kaliyeva, G.; Gabdullin, M.; Yerlanuly, Y. WO3 Nanopowders As Efficient Photocatalysts for Paracetamol Degradation. Eur. J. Phys. Funct. Mater. 2026, 10 (2), 178-189. https://doi.org/10.32523/ejpfm.2026100206.