Synthesis, Functional Modifications, and Diversified Applications of Molybdenum Oxides Micro-/Nanocrystals: A Review

As a significant n-type semiconductor, MoOx (2 ≤ x ≤ 3) micro-/nanostructures with well-tuned shapes, sizes, crystalline phases, and compositions have attracted great attention in the past few decades due to remarkable performances in numerous fields of photodevices, energy storage and conversion, gas sensing and catalysts. Additionally, the cheapness, nontoxicity, and ecofriendly nature as well as semiconducting properties also endow them with competitive advantages for their practical applications. However, a comprehensive review on morphological MoOx micro-/nanostructures is still lacking so far. Hence, it is necessary to thoroughly summarize the recent advances made in function-oriented MoOx-based architectures. In this review, we have highlighted the progress in diversified MoOx micro-/nanostructures, including the general synthetic strategies for the synthesis of zero-, one-, two-, and three-dimensional MoOx micro-/nanostructures and the modification (such as doping and hybridization) of MoOx-based composites for enhanced performances in diversified applications (including photodetectors, photothermal therapy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, supercapacitors, ion batteries, solar cells, gas sensors, multiphase catalysts, photodegradation, hydrogen evolution reaction, and chemical template). Finally, we briefly summarize the present issues and share promising research perspectives emerging from the fascinating MoOx materials.