Fabrication of a Novel ZnO/NiMoO4 Nanocomposite and Evaluation of Its Visible Light Driven Photocatalytic Performance

A new heterojunction of ZnO/NiMoO ₄ was developed via a facile hydrothermal followed by a calcination method at a relatively low temperature. Multiple characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis of X-rays, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, were employed to confirm the successful fabrication of the samples. Diffraction studies showed pure and crystalline nature, whereas morphological studies showed that ZnO has a rod-shaped structure with irregular quasi-spherical NiMoO ₄ deposited over its surface. For evaluating its photocatalytic efficiency, malachite green and eosin yellow were subjected to photodegradation. The composite with ZnO/10% NiMoO ₄ provided the best results with rate of degradation about threefold higher than the pure ZnO and NiMoO ₄ samples. Stability experiments of the photocatalyst showed no significant loss in activity. A mechanistic pathway for degradation was also suggested. Overall, a comprehensive study of the prepared photocatalyst was performed in the present endeavor, which will definitely encourage researchers to develop new visible light irradiated heterojunctions for the treatment of noxious waste and dyes from the environment.