Facile Water-Based Strategy for Synthesizing MoO_3–x Nanosheets: Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts for Dye Degradation

Abstract

Nanostructured molybdenum oxides are promising materials for energy storage, catalysis, and electronic-based applications. Herein, we report the synthesis of MoO 3– x nanosheets ( x stands for oxygen vacancy) via an environmentally friendly liquid exfoliation approach. The process involves the reflux of the bulk α-MoO 3 precursor in water at 80 °C for 7 days. Electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy show that the MoO 3– x nanosheets are a few nanometer thick. MoO 3– x nanosheets exhibit near infrared plasmonic property that can be enhanced by visible light irradiation for a short time (10 min). Photocatalytic activity of MoO 3– x nanosheets for organic dye decolorization is examined using two different dyes (rhodamine B and methylene blue). Under visible light irradiation, MoO 3– x nanosheets make a rapid decolorization for the dye molecules in less than 10 min. The simple synthesis procedure of MoO 3– x nanosheets combined with their remarkable photochemical properties reflect the high potential for using the nanosheets in a variety of applications.

Flexible Freestanding MoO3−x–Carbon Nanotubes–Nanocellulose Paper Electrodes for Charge‐Storage Applications

“…The XRD pattern of the obtained MoO 3− x –CNTs–CC paper (see Figure S1 a in the Supporting Information) indicated that the material was close to amorphous and that the degree of the crystallinity of the MoO 3− x nanosheets was low, in good agreement with previous findings . The peak observed at 14.5° can be assigned to the CNTs–CC matrix beause it was also observed in the XRD pattern of the CNTs–CC paper.…”

“…[28] The XRD pattern of the obtained MoO 3Àx -CNTs-CC paper (see Figure S1 ai nt he Supporting Information) indicated that the material was closet oa morphous and that the degree of the crystallinity of the MoO 3Àx nanosheets was low,i ng ood agreement with previous findings. [28,29] The peak observed at 14.58 can be assigned to the CNTs-CC matrix beausei tw as also observed in the XRD pattern of the CNTs-CC paper.I nterestingly, the MoO 3Àx -CNTs-CC paper electrodes featured an electronic conductivity of approximately 0.019 Scm À1 ,a sd etermined by using four-point probe measurements. This electronic conductivity value shows that the electrical properties of the www.chemsuschem.org present MoO 3Àx -CNTs-CC paper were comparable to those of previously described MoO 3 -based nanopaper electrodes.…”

“…recently introduced a robust synthesis protocol for the manufacturing of flexible freestanding paper electrodes by using a combination of a redox‐active material, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and Cladophora cellulose (CC). Therefore, there is a need to explore the extension of the aforementioned synthesis approach to include some other redox‐active materials such as transition‐metal oxide nanosheets (e.g., vanadium or molybdenum oxide nanosheets) …”

“…Therefore, there is an eed to explore the extension of the aforementioned synthesis approach to include someo ther redox-active materials such as transition-metal oxide nanosheets (e.g.,v anadium [25][26][27] or molybdenum oxide nanosheets). [28,29] Molybdenumo xides have previously been used in av ariety of electrochemical applicationss uch as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. [30][31][32][33][34][35] However,m olybdenum oxide-based electrodes usually suffer from low electronic conductivities, fast capacity fading,a nd poor electrochemical cyclabilities.…”

Nanostructured MoO3 for Efficient Energy and Environmental Catalysis

“…Organic dyes are widely used in textile manufacturing, but they are an environmental threat; hence, the treatment of dyes in wastewater is highly necessary [94]. In general, the degradation rates of rhodamine B (RhB), methylene orange (MO), and methylene blue (MB) are used to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of catalysts.…”