Synthesis of NiMoO4 nanoparticles by sol-gel method and their structural, morphological, optical, magnetic and photocatlytic properties

Nickel molybdate (NiMoO4) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by sol-gel method. Utilizing water as solvent provides crystalline nanostructures. These nanocrystals were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectra. Compositional stoichiometry was confirmed by EDX technique. The size and shape were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). It was found that the obtained NPs were pure and single phase crystalline with monoclinic structure. The optical properties were studied by ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis-DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements at room temperature. The magnetic properties were studied by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and results showed superparamagnetic behavior of the obtained nanoparticles. Photocatalytic activity of NiMoO4 was studied. The photocatalytic activity of NiMoO4 was enhanced with the addition of TiO2. The catalysts NiMoO4, TiO2 and NiMoO4-TiO2 nanocomposites (NC) were tested for photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). It was found that PCD efficiency of NiMoO4-TiO2 NC was higher than that of pure NiMoO4 and TiO2.