Exploration of photoluminescence properties and photocatalytic efficiencies of organic contaminants using Ni-doped PbMoO₄ nanoparticles

Considerable tending has been given to exploring PbMoO₄ material with improved photocatalytic behaviors, comparatively low cost and eco-friendly nature. In this work, bare and Ni (0.025, 0.050, 0.075 M) doped PbMoO₄ nanoparticles were successfully prepared by the co-precipitation process. The SEM and HR-TEM analysis demonstrates that Ni (0.050 M) doped PbMoO₄ were found in spherical shaped morphologies with slight agglomeration. The energy gap of Ni (0.050 M) doped PbMoO₄ was determined to be 2.74 eV which facilitates the greater photocatalytic behaviors in the visible range. The photodegradation reaction process in the existence of radical species indicated that ^•OH and h⁺ were the dominant scavengers. Surface defects, oxygen vacancies, and prevent charge carriers are closely associated with the photodegradation behaviors were investigated from PL and XPS analysis. Additionally, the stability and repeatability of the existing catalyst towards Brilliant Green (BG) and Brilliant Blue (BB) for 6 runs demonstrated accepted outcomes. The Ni (0.050 M) doped PbMoO₄ showed significant degradation performances towards organics pollutants. From these investigations, Ni-doped PbMoO₄ might be expected as a potential candidate for the resolution of hazardous ecological contaminants.