Studies on the photocatalytic activity molybdenum doped cadmium selenide nanoparticles towards indigo carmine dye degradation under solar light

In the present study, molybdenum doped cadmium selenide (Mo-CdSe) nanoparticles photocatalyst has been synthesized and utilized for the degradation of indigo carmine dye under solar light irradiation. Mo-CdSe nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy, thermo gravimetric (TGA) and FTIR studies. The XRD and EDAX spectrum confirms the presence of Mo onto CdSe matrix. Thermal proved that the Mo-CdSe nanoparticles possessed greater thermal stability than CdSe nanoparticles. Photodegradation studies under solar light irradiation revealed that the Mo-doped CdSe nanoparticles exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than that of pure CdSe nanoparticles. This significant improvement in the photocatalytic efficiency of Mo-CdSe nanoparticles photocatalyst under solar light irradiation can be attributed to the presence of Mo on the CdSe nanoparticles which greatly enhances absorption in the visible range of solar spectrum enabled by the Mo and better charge separation.