High visible light photocatalytic activity of Eu-doped MoO3 nanobelts synthesized by hydrothermal method

• Eu-doped MoO3 nanobelts were synthesized by hydrothermal method.
• Their photocatalytic activities were tested through the MB degradation.
• They showed excellent visible-light-driven photocatalyst.
• The potential photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.

Orthorhombic MoO3 and Eu-doped MoO3 nanobelts have been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method. In this research, orthorhombic MoO3 and Eu-doped MoO3 nanobelts growing along the [001] direction were detected. The photocatalytic performance of the as-synthesized MoO3 and Eu-doped MoO3 nanobelts were monitored through photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light radiation. The 3 mol% Eu-doped MoO3 exhibited the highest visible-light-driven activity for photodegradation of MB of 98% within 60 min.