In situ loading of MoO3 clusters on ultrathin Bi2MoO6 nanosheets for synergistically enhanced photocatalytic NO abatement

Synthesis of high-efficiency photocatalysts and revealing of the interfacial reaction mechanism are two major prerequisites for the commercial application of photocatalytic technology. Herein, the ultrathin Bi2MoO6 nanosheets modified by MoO3 clusters are synthesized through a surfactant-assisted one step hydrothermal process. The ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) structure shortens the carrier transmission distance, thereby reducing the recombination probability during the transport process. The surface clusters highly favor the interfacial charge transfer via giving a fire-new electron migration pathway from Bi2MoO6 nanosheets to MoO3 clusters directly. With the pivotal effect of directed electrons migration, the separation efficiency of carriers could be largely enhanced. The Bi2MoO6 nanosheets loaded with MoO3 clusters demonstrated highly efficient photocatalytic performance for NO removal under relative humidity from 25 to 100% due to the synergistic strategy of ultrathin structure and clusters. This work can provide a novel synergistic strategy for efficient carrier transfer, and also can put forward deep insights into the photocatalytic NO oxidation mechanism.

Automated summary

This study synthesized ultrathin Bi2MoO6 nanosheets modified by MoO3 clusters through a surfactant-assisted one step hydrothermal process, showing highly efficient photocatalytic performance for NO removal under relative humidity from 25% to 100% due to the synergistic strategy of ultrathin structure and clusters. The surface clusters create a new electron migration pathway, greatly enhancing the interfacial charge transfer efficiency.