Yttrium Doped Single-Crystalline Orthorhombic Molybdenum Oxide Micro-Belts: Synthesis, Structural, Optical and Photocatalytic Properties

Engineering bandgap energy of MoO3 nanorod heterostructure using AgVO3 for efficient photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic pollutant

The increasing contamination of water bodies with pharmaceutical pollutants, particularly acetaminophen, necessitates innovative and efficient remediation strategies. This study introduces a novel AgVO3@MoO3 (AV@MoO3) nanorod heterostructure synthesized via a hydrothermal process designed to enrich the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic pollutant using visible light irradiation. The bandgap energy of the optimum AV@MoO3-3 heterostructure is 2.62 eV which is lower than pristine MoO3 nanorod (3.16 eV). The integration of AgVO3 into MoO3 effectively reduced the bandgap energy and created beneficial surface defects, significantly boosting the visible-light absorption and photocatalytic activity. The optimized AV@MoO3-3 nanorod heterostructure achieved a remarkable photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 97.21% for acetaminophen, with a degradation rate constant of 0.0298 min-1, outperforming MoO3 (0.003 min-1) and AgVO3 (0.004 min-1) alone by factors of 9.9 and 7.4, respectively. Transient photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses confirmed the enhanced charge separation and reduced recombination. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of bandgap engineering and defect manipulation in heterostructures and highlights the potential for advanced water purification applications.

Development of an impressive method for the synthesis of α-MoO3 nanobelts as an efficient catalyst for biodiesel production

This work presents a novel and eco-friendly technique for the first time to create α-MoO3 nanobelts (NBs) by employing a straightforward procedure with glycerol and ascorbic acid acting as green complexing and polymerizing agents, respectively. The produced α-MoO3 NBs were characterized using a range of analytical techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The NBs were used as a catalyst in the manufacturing of biodiesel. To assess the acidity strength of the catalyst, NH3 was used in a temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD) experiment. Biodiesel was effectively produced from oleic acid and ethyl alcohol by the α-MoO3 NBs. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed in the experimental design and optimization to get the ideal circumstances. Important variables, including temperature, reaction time, catalyst dosage, reaction time, temperature, and the molar ratio of alcohol to fatty acid, were examined. The outcomes demonstrated that the biodiesel production might approach 85% at ideal temperatures of 75 °C, 50 min of reaction time, a 30:1 molar ratio of alcohol to oleic acid, and 0.007 g of catalyst. The results also showed no appreciable activity loss throughout the catalyst's efficient recovery and reuse for four cycles.

Controllable Construction of a Mo2C/MoO2 Interface with an Ideal Mo2C/MoO2 Ratio for Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is considered to be a viable contender for the production of NH3. However, due to the sluggish adsorption and activation of the electrocatalyst toward inert N2 molecules, there is an urgent need for developing effective catalysts to facilitate the reaction. Inspired by natural nitrogenase, in which Mo atoms are the active centers, Mo-based electrocatalysts have received considerable attention, but further exploration is still necessary. Interface-engineered electrocatalysts can effectively optimize the absorption and activation of the catalytic active center for N2 and thus improve the electrocatalytic activity of NRR. However, the lack of studies for controllably constructing an optimal ratio of two phases at the interface hinders the development of NRR electrocatalysts. Herein, a series of Mo2C/MoO2 interface-engineered electrocatalysts with various Mo2C/MoO2 ratios were constructed by controlling the Y dosages. The controlled experimental results verified that the catalytic activity of NRR, the dosage of Y, and the ratio of Mo2C/MoO2 were strongly correlated. Density functional theory calculations show that the C-Mo-O coordination at the Mo2C/MoO2 interface can optimize the reaction path and reduce the energy barrier of the reaction intermediates, thereby enhancing the reaction kinetics of NRR.

Multiple phases of yttrium-doped molybdenum trioxide nanorods as efficient dye degrader and bactericidal agents with molecular docking analysis

Contaminants removal is usually becoming an exciting subject of research from water considering their environmental and ecological effects. This work provides pathways to remove organic pollutants from water via nanomaterials and is used as an antibiotic against bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli). In this study, molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) and yttrium (Y) doped (2 and 4%) MoO3 nanorods were synthesized by co-precipitation method. Advanced characterization techniques have been introduced to study textural structures, morphological developments, and optical characteristics of produced products. X-ray diffraction studied multiple crystalline structures of prepared samples as hexagonal, orthorhombic, and monoclinic of pure MoO3 with decrease in crystallinity and crystallite size upon Y doping. UV-visible spectroscopy unveiled a redshift (bathochromic effect) in absorption pattern attributed to band gap energy (Eg) decreases. Photoluminescence spectra examined the recombination rate of electrons (e-) and holes (h+) as charge carriers. A sufficient catalytic activity (CA) was observed against methylene blue (MB) dye in an acidic medium (99.74%) and efficient bactericidal action was studied against (E. coli) with zone of inhibition (5.20 mm) for 4% Y-doped MoO3. In addition, in silico docking demonstrated potential inhibitory effect of produced nanomaterials on FabH and FabI enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis.

Fabrication of g-C3N4/Y-TiO2 Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic activity

The g-C3N4/Y-TiO2 Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic activity that use yttrium instead of noble metals was successfully manufactured.