pH dependent synthesis and characterization of bismuth molybdate nanostructure for photocatalysis degradation of organic pollutants

Bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) nanostructures has attracted many researches as an advanced photocalysts for the organic contaminants. In this paper, bismuth molybdate Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method at varied pH (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) for 15 h at 180 °C. The results reveal the variation pH precursor solutions have a significant impact on the morphology, phase formations, and photocatalytic activity of samples. The synthesized samples at low pH level were characterized by FESEM analysis revealing Bi2MoO6 nanoplates have formed while gradually convert to Bi2MoO6 spherical nanoparticle at high PH level as shown in energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (DES) peaks. The X-ray diffraction patterns reveal characteristic peaks corresponding to mixed phases of Bi2MoO6 and cubic Bi4MoO9 at high pH value. The optical absorption study exhibit Bi2MoO6 nanoplates absorbed visible light with blue shift when compared to the cubic Bi4MoO9 structures. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity results revealed that nanoplates in pH = 4 sample has excellent photocatalytic activity for degradation of rhodamine (RhB), methylene orange (MO), and phenol under visible-light irradiation (λ > 400 nm) as well as exhibit the photodegradation 90% of phenol within 300 min.