Enhanced adsorption and photocatalysis properties of molybdenum oxide ultrathin nanobelts

• The α-MoO3 ultrathin nanobelts are prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method.
• The original MoO3 nanobelts grow much thinner by reprocessing with 30% H2O2.
• The formation is ascribed to H2O2 break the framework of MoO6 octahedra.
• Adsorption and photocatalysis of the ultrathin nanobelts are significantly enhanced.

The alpha molybdenum oxide (α-MoO3) ultrathin nanobelts are prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method. The original MoO3 nanobelts are first prepared using molybdenyl acetylacetonate as a single precursor, and then followed by reprocessing with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 30%). The characterization results indicate that the products grow with the preferred orientation of [001] and become much thinner after reprocessing with H2O2. The formation process is ascribed to that peroxide species sterically break the framework of MoO6 octahedra sheets, resulting in the ultrathin formation of MoO3. Moreover, the adsorption and photocatalysis of the MoO3 ultrathin nanobelts indicate that the adsorption rate of the MoO3 nanobelts increases from 6.98% to 30.02% and photocatalytic degradation rate promotes from 52.03% to 79.55%, respectively.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide