Optical properties and visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of Na2Mn2(MoO4)3

In this paper, Na2Mn2(MoO4)(3) doubgyle molybdate was prepared by sol-gel method to investigate the structural, morphological and optical properties. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that Na2Mn2(MoO4)(3) crystallizes in the triclinic system in the P1 group. The composition and morphology of the compound were checked by energy dispersive spectroscopy coupled with scanning electron microscope. Optical properties were analyzed by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic properties were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue under natural sunlight and compared to Xe and UV lamps. The highest photodegradation efficiency (85.3%) was obtained for solar irradiation, therefore, Na2Mn2(MoO4)(3) can be a potential photocatalyst for the removal of dye wastewater pollution driven by visible-light. The proposed mechanism of photodegradation in water involves creation of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions that attack the methylene blue molecules and decompose it to carbon dioxide and water.

Automated summary

This study prepared Na2Mn2(MoO4)(3) double molybdate by sol-gel method to investigate its structural, morphological, and optical properties. The compound exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency for methylene blue degradation under natural sunlight, making it a potential candidate for visible-light-driven dye wastewater treatment. The proposed photodegradation mechanism involves the generation of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions attacking the dye molecules to decompose them into carbon dioxide and water.