Boosted solar-driven photocatalysis: silver molybdate/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for methylene blue decomposition

In this work, reduced graphene oxide coupled silver molybdate binary nanocomposites (Ag₂MoO₄/rGO nanocomposites) have been prepared via ethanolic dispersion method. The crystalline character and surface properties of the developed Ag₂MoO₄/rGO nanocomposites were proved by X-ray diffractional (XRD), scanning electronic microscopic (SEM), and transition emission microscopic (TEM) techniques. Photocatalytic activity was tested by analyzing the degradation of methylene blue dye solution which shows excellent degradation ability. Ultraviolet diffused reflectance spectral analysis (UV-DRS) and photoluminescence analysis (PL) clearly shows the synergetic photocatalytic effect of Ag₂MoO₄/rGO nanocomposites. The photocatalytic activity of Ag₂MoO₄/rGO binary nanocomposites was compared with bare rGO and Ag₂MoO₄ in the same experimental conditions. Moreover, the effect of mass ratios of rGO in the Ag₂MoO₄/rGO binary nanocomposites on the photocatalytic activity was explored comparatively due to its advanced charge carrier separation and ease of adoption with photocatalysts. The optical properties and experimental results proposed a plausible photocatalytic mechanism for the Ag₂MoO₄/rGO binary nanocomposites. The synthetic route is independent of expensive treatments like surfactant-based artificial techniques and post-annealing therapy. Hence, Ag₂MoO₄/rGO binary nanocomposites may be applicable for dye effluent treatment.