Visible-light Photochromism of Phosphomolybdic Acid/ZnO Composite

A novel photochromic hybrid ZnO was synthesized by doping with phosphomolybdic acid(PMoA). It could respond to visible light and fade in color when treated with hydrogen peroxide(H 2 O 2 ). The microstructure and photochromic properties were investigated via X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy(UV-Vis) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). The XRD patterns show that the prepared ZnO is pure and has a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The FTIR results demonstrate the existence of a strong interaction between PMoA and ZnO. Due to PMoA doping, the rough surface morphology of ZnO became smooth, as verified by the SEM images. The TEM images illustrate that pure ZnO exhibits a polycrystalline structure with irregular morphology. PMoA was wrapped on the surface of ZnO. After visible-light irradiation, the composite changed from slight yellow to blue and returned to the original color in the presence of H 2 O 2 . The composite had good photosensitivity and photochromic reversibility. The photochromic process was in accord with photoinduced electrons transfer mechanism.