Low-Potential Arc Plasma Solar-Powered Synthesis of WO₃ Nanoparticles

A novel approach for synthesizing tungsten trioxide (WO₃) nanoparticles utilizing arc plasma with a low applied potential is directly obtained from a series of solar panels. This low-potential arc plasma is successfully ignited in a closed, atmospheric-pressure system. The gas molecules inside the chamber are ionized to enhance the oxidization of tungsten. A high-purity tungsten rod (99.99%) is subjected to arc discharge, resulting in the formation of WO₃. The synthesized product was comprehensively characterized by using FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, EDS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR, TGA, DSC, UV-vis spectroscopy, PL, BET, and XPS, all of which confirmed the structure of WO₃. UV-vis absorption implied deep-level luminescence related to the oxygen vacancies within the structure. With tungsten (W) electrodes, the low-potential plasma, which can produce nanoparticles, has sufficient energy to successfully slice through Cu, Fe, and Ti plates. The antimicrobial potential of WO₃ was evaluated under dark, UV-A, and visible-light conditions. Notably, WO₃ exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria, even under dark conditions, suggesting potential photocatalytic and reactive oxygen species-mediated disinfection mechanisms. These findings demonstrate a simple synthesis method of nanoparticles using only renewable electricity and highlight the multifunctional potential of synthesized WO₃.