Harvesting, storing and utilising solar energy using MoO3 : modulating structural distortion through pH adjustment

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Molybdenum oxide (MoO3) exhibits interesting electronic and ionic properties.
• Developing efficient energy storage materials is crucial for renewable energy applications.
• Photoactive materials capable of charge storage are of significant interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize nanostructured molybdenum oxide (α-MoO3) thin film photoelectrodes.
• To investigate the self-photo-rechargeable alkali-ion battery behavior of α-MoO3.
• To understand how anodisation pH influences α-MoO3 properties and performance.

Main Methods:

• Thin film synthesis via anodisation of molybdenum.
• Characterization of crystal structure, oxygen vacancies, and surface morphology.
• Electrochemical testing under light illumination and dark conditions.

Main Results:

• Synthesized nanostructured α-MoO3 thin films exhibit self-photo-rechargeable alkali-ion battery characteristics.
• Anodisation pH modulation affects MoO6 octahedral distortion, oxygen vacancy concentration, and exposed crystal facets.
• Higher pH leads to increased octahedral distortion, favoring charge storage, while lower pH enhances anodic photocurrent.

Conclusions:

• Nanostructured α-MoO3 thin films can function as self-photo-rechargeable alkali-ion batteries.
• Tuning anodisation pH is a viable strategy to optimize α-MoO3 for charge storage or photocurrent generation.
• The layered structure and modulated properties of α-MoO3 are key to its electrochemical performance.