Novel study to correlate efficient photocatalytic activity of WO3 and Cr doped TiO2 leading to enhance the shelf-life of the apple

This research work reports the novel synthesis of tungsten trioxide (WO3) and chromium (Cr) doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) for photocatalytic and shelf-life applications through the sol–gel method. The optimal incorporation of WO3 and Cr into TiO2 nano-spheres results in the enhancement of photocatalytic properties as well as shelf-life of apples. The crystallinity, morphology, purity, elemental composition, optical properties, presence of functional groups and bandgap of the prepared samples were analyzed by XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR, PL and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy respectively. The XRD results revealed that the average crystallite size is 24 nm having well-distinguished peaks. SEM micrographs showed that pure TiO2 has a nanosphere structure but doping significantly changed the morphology into nanoflowers. The average particle size is between 10 and 100 nm but due to agglomeration of the particles, some particles have size greater than 100 nm as well. The UV–Vis spectroscopy successfully confirmed the decrease of bandgap from 3.2 to 2.5 eV. The degradation of Rhodamine-B (RHB) dye as a model organic pollutant over 180 min was used to examine the photocatalytic performance of fabricated samples. This Work reveals that 3% WO3/TiO2 has a maximum degradation efficiency of 94 percent. This sample was also found to be photostable, anti-photo corrosive, environmentally friendly, and reusable after several cycles of activity. The use of WO3/TiO2 resulted in the greatest increase in apple’s shelf life. These findings indicate that the 3% WO3/TiO2 can be used as a photocatalyst for organic pollutant degradation and a best catalyst to enhance the shelf-life of apples. This fact confirms the co-relation of photocatalysis and shelf-life applications.