Template‐free hydrothermal synthesis of α‐molybdenum trioxide nanobelts and their photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue

Single crystal orthorhombic phase molybdenum trioxide (α‐MoO 3 ) nanobelts with uniform width have been successfully prepared through a simple hydrothermal synthesis route at 180°C in the absence of any template, and are characterised using X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The synthesised α‐MoO 3 nanobelts are grown along the c ‐axis direction. The α‐MoO 3 nanobelts for degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution exhibit high photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation because of the large aspect ratio of α‐MoO 3 nanobelts. The photocatalytic activity loss of the catalyst is not obvious after five recycles.