Structural, optical, and UV-light-driven-photocatalytic properties of Ag₂MoO₄-coated TiO₂ nano/heterostructures

In this work, Ag₂MoO₄-coated TiO₂ nano/heterostructures were prepared via a two-step co-precipitation method as efficient UV-light-driven photocatalysts. The structural and optical properties of the as-prepared photocatalysts were studied by XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM-EDS analysis and UV-Vis DRS. The formation of Ag₂MoO₄-coated TiO₂ nano/heterostructures was confirmed by observing weakened TiO₂ diffraction peaks, broadened FTIR hydroxyl absorption bands, shifted Raman scatterings and enhanced optical absorptions compared to the pure sample. The FESEM-EDS studies allowed the detection of the composition and distribution of Ag₂MoO₄ on the surface of TiO₂ structures. The photodegradation performance of the as-prepared Ag₂MoO₄-coated TiO₂ nano/heterostructures was evaluated by UV illumination over the degradation of methylene blue (MB). The photocatalytic results exhibited an improved photocatalytic performance for nano/heterostructured materials compared to sole TiO₂ photocatalyst relevant to the formed junction. The highest photocatalytic efficiency was found to be about 96.17% belonging to TiO₂/Ag₂MoO₄-3 sample with an increase about 1.19 times higher than that of Pure-TiO₂ (80.47%). A photocatalytic mechanism and a charge transfer route was discussed based on a Type II alignment scheme to justify the enhanced photocatlytic activity of nano/heterostructured Ag₂MoO₄-coated TiO₂ materials. Our findings provides a platform to design water treatment systems for potential applications to reach fresh and safe water sources.