Investigation of the structural, optical and magnetic properties of Eu₂(WO₄)₃ nanoparticles synthesized via a wet chemical route

Pure europium tungstate [Eu₂(WO₄)₃] nanoparticles were prepared via a wet chemical route by using europium nitrate hexahydrate and Na₂WO₄·2H₂O in water. Capping agents are frequently used in colloidal synthesis to inhibit nanoparticle overgrowth and aggregation as well as to control the structural characteristics of the resulted nanoparticles in a precise manner; therefore, glucose, lactose and galactose were applied as capping agents. Besides, the effect of glucose, lactose and galactose on the morphology and size of final products were investigated by SEM analysis. According to the vibrating sample magnetometer, Eu₂(WO₄)₃ nanoparticles indicated a paramagnetic behavior at room temperature. To evaluate the catalytic properties of nanocrystalline Eu₂(WO₄)₃, the photocatalytic degradations of methyl orange under ultraviolet light irradiation were carried out. The structural, morphological, magnetic, and optical properties of as-obtained products were characterized by techniques such as XRD, SEM, EDX and UV–Vis spectroscopy.