Novel MoSe2 hierarchical microspheres for applications in visible-light-driven advanced oxidation processes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are crucial green technologies for environmental remediation.
• Semiconductor catalysts play a vital role in enhancing AOP efficiency.
• Molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) shows potential as a photocatalyst.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel three-dimensional self-assembled MoSe2 hierarchical microspheres.
• To evaluate the photocatalytic activity of MoSe2 microspheres in an AOP system.
• To investigate the mechanism of visible-light-driven photocatalysis.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of MoSe2 hierarchical microspheres using organic selenium cyanoacetic acid sodium (NCSeCH2COONa) as the selenium source.
• Characterization of the synthesized MoSe2 products for crystallinity and structure.
• Photocatalytic activity testing in a MoSe2-H2O2 system under visible light irradiation.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced MoSe2 hierarchical microspheres with good crystallinity and an average diameter of 1 μm.
• Determined the band gap of MoSe2 microspheres to be 1.68 eV.
• Demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity of MoSe2 microspheres in the MoSe2-H2O2 system under visible light.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized MoSe2 hierarchical microspheres are effective photocatalysts for visible-light-driven AOPs.
• The MoSe2-H2O2 system shows significant potential for green environmental applications.
• The study elucidates the photocatalytic mechanism attributed to visible-light-driven AOPs.