Fabrication of CuO/MoO3 p-n heterojunction for enhanced dyes degradation and hydrogen production from water splitting

The development of excellent photocatalytic material is highly required for energy and environmental applications. In this study, visible light responsive p-n heterojunction photo-catalysts based on CuO/MoO3 with varying ratios of CuO were prepared by the facile hydrothermal method. The crystalline structure, surface morphology, chemical compositions and optical properties of the synthesized photocatalysts were studied using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence (PL) techniques and UV-Vi's absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that the 5% CuO/MoO3 nanocomposite displayed enhanced photocatalytic performance for the production of hydrogen (98.5 mmol h(-1)g(-1)) and degradation of dyes rhodamine B (RhB) and alizarine yellow (AY) than all other samples. Furthermore, 5% CuO/MoO3 composite exhibited excellent stability after five consecutive cycles for both RhB and AY dyes. Overall, the improved photocatalytic performance of 5%CuO/MoO3 composite was due to increased adsorption of visible light, good surface morphology, enhanced charge separation/transfer which inhibited recombination of electrons and holes. This study could encourage the synthesis of novel and effective p-n heterojunction photocatalysts for practical applications. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, visible light responsive p-n heterojunction photocatalysts based on CuO/MoO3 with varying ratios of CuO were prepared. The synthesized photocatalysts were characterized and their photocatalytic performances were evaluated. The 5% CuO/MoO3 composite exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance and stability, attributed to increased adsorption of visible light, good surface morphology, and enhanced charge separation/transfer.