Synthesis and characterization of Sm2(MoO4)3, Sm2(MoO4)3/GO and Sm2(MoO4)3/C3N4 nanostructures for improved photocatalytic performance and their anti-cancer the MCF-7 cells

Samarium molybdate nanoparticles (Sm-2(MoO4)(3)) were prepared through a hydrothermal procedure and were used to form various composites with graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nitride (C3N4). The changes in the dimensions and morphology of the products were prepared using template agents like cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (>= 90%), Triton X-100 (90%), Polyvinyl alcohol (95%), Ethylene glycol (>= 99%), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). DRS analysis indicated band gap for the Sm-2(MoO4), Sm-2(MoO4)(3)/GO, and Sm-2(MoO4)(3)/C3N4 as 3.75, 3.15, and 3.4 respectively. The characteristics of the prepared nanostructures were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the activity of the prepared Sm-2(MoO4)(3) as photo-catalysts for the degradation of different organic dyes such as methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and rhodamine B (Rh B) was evaluated. The photocatalytic property of Sm-2(MoO4)(3)/C3N4 and Sm-2(MoO4)(3)/GO for the degradation of MO, was obtained. Based on the empirical data Sm-2(MoO4)(3)/C3N4 had the strongest photodegradation effect as compared to the other compounds tested after around 40 min. BET analysis revealed that the specific surface area of the Sm-2(MoO4)(3) nanocomposite prepared using C3N4 is 15 times that of in the absence of C3N4. Also, the cytotoxicity of synthesized samples was evaluated using MTT assay against human cell lines MCF-7 (cancer), and its IC50 was about 125 mg/L. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.