Nanoengineered thin-film TiO2/h-MoO3 photocatalysts capable to accumulate photoinduced charge

• Outstanding energy storage of TiO2/MoO3 due to photoreduction of molybdenum trioxide.
• Separation of charge carriers at TiO2/MoO3 enhances photooxidation activity.
• Gradual oxidation of photogenerated molybdenum bronzes by O2 yields peroxo species.

The mosaic films made of TiO2 and hexagonal MoO3 nanoparticles not only demonstrate high activity in the reactions of photooxidation of the adsorbed organics in air conditions but also store the photoinduced charge as the result of MoO3 reduction by photoelectrons injected from titania which behaves as a photogenerating component. The charge accumulated via this light-driven reduction is spent under dark conditions in the reaction of molecular oxygen reduction yielding peroxide species. As the result, TiO2/h-MoO3 nanocomposite films retain oxidation ability for ca. 4 h after UV illumination. This photocatalytic material opens fresh avenues in fabrication of self-sterilizing coatings capable to generate reactive oxygen species not only under actinic illumination but also under dark conditions.

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