Self-organized W/WO3 nanoporous electrodes can be obtained by simple electrochemical anodization of W foil in 0.15 mol L-1 NaF solution as the supporting electrolyte, applying a ramp potential of 0.2 V s-1 until it reached 60 V, which was maintained for 2 h. The monoclinic form is majority in the highly ordered WO3 annealed at 450 °C, obtaining a higher photoactivity when irradiated by visible light than by UV light. The electrode promotes complete discoloration of the investigated basic red 51 dye after 60 min of photoelectrocatalytic oxidation, on current density of 1.25 mA cm-2 and irradiation on wavelength of 420-630 nm. In this condition it was obtained 63% of mineralization. Lower efficiency is obtained for the system irradiated by wavelength (280-400 nm) when only 40% of total organic carbon removal is obtained and 120 min is required for complete discoloration.
W/WO3 electrodes; electrochemical anodization; photoelectrocatalysis; basic red 51; hair dye
