Facile Water-Based Strategy for Synthesizing MoO_3–<i>x</i> 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-<i>x</i> nanosheets (<i>x</i> stands for oxygen vacancy) via an environmentally friendly liquid exfoliation approach. The process involves the reflux of the bulk α-MoO₃ precursor in water at 80 °C for 7 days. Electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy show that the MoO_3-<i>x</i> nanosheets are a few nanometer thick. MoO_3-<i>x</i> 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-<i>x</i> nanosheets for organic dye decolorization is examined using two different dyes (rhodamine B and methylene blue). Under visible light irradiation, MoO_3-<i>x</i> nanosheets make a rapid decolorization for the dye molecules in less than 10 min. The simple synthesis procedure of MoO_3-<i>x</i> nanosheets combined with their remarkable photochemical properties reflect the high potential for using the nanosheets in a variety of applications.