Synthesis and Application of Fe-Doped WO₃ Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylparaben Using Visible–Light Radiation and H₂O₂

Synthesis of WO₃ and Fe-doped WO₃ nanoparticles is done by use of Microwave irradiation technique. X-ray powder diffraction confirmed the formation of a monoclinic crystalline structure. The as-prepared samples are characterised by transmission electron microscope, Braunuer, Emmett and Teller, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Confirmation of the morphology of the nanostructures showed ovoid-like form. The photocatalytic activity of WO₃ and nominal percentage of Fe-doped WO₃ (3, 5 and 10 wt%) are evaluated for the degradation of methylparaben (MeP) in aqueous solution after being irradiated with visible light. The results show that 5 wt% Fe–WO₃ is the best dopant in the photodegradation of MeP at 50.8% with H₂O₂. A chemometric model analysis is applied to estimate both individual and interaction factors that included pH, contact time, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration and catalyst dosage. The optimal conditions at pH 3, 10 mg, 5 wt% Fe–WO₃ and 120 min are achieved. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]