Solution Combustion Synthesis of Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 and Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 /MoO 3 Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties

In this study, we synthesized Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 and Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 /MoO 3 composites through a simple solution combustion synthesis (SCS) route. The structure, morphology, and photocatalytic property for the degradation of Congo Red (CR) were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer absorption spectroscopy. The phases of the samples were characterized to be Bi 2 Mo 3 O 1 and Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 /MoO 3 . The SEM results showed Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 particles were uniformly distributed on the MoO 3 sheets. Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 and MoO 3 in the Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 /MoO 3 composites were clearly demonstrated by the lattice spacing from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy results. The maximum degradation rate of Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 /MoO 3 composite was 83% at 60 min, showing excellent photocatalytic performance. A possible mechanism is proposed for the degradation of CR over Bi 2 Mo 3 O 12 /MoO 3 composites, in which h + and ·O 2− are the main active species and play an important role in the degradation of pollutants.