Synthesis and Characterization of Fe₂(MoO₄)₃Nano-Photocatalyst by Simple Sol-Gel Method

Ferric molybdate (Fe₂(MoO₄)₃) nanorods (NRs) were successfully synthesized using metal nitrates, citric acid and ethyl cellulose by a simple sol-gel method. Structural, morphological, optical and magnetic properties of the obtained powder were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, high resolution scanning electron microscope (HR-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD results indicated that the resultant powder was pure single phase crystalline with monoclinic structure. FT-IR spectra indicate the type of bonds between metals and oxygen. HR-SEM images shows that the morphology of the powder consist with well defined nanorods (NRs) structure. VSM results showed ferromagnetic behavior. The addition of TiO₂ catalyst, it enhanced the photo-catalytic activity of Fe₂(MoO₄)₃. The mixed oxide catalyst of Fe₂(MoO₄)₃-TiO₂ nano-composites (NCs) were also tested for the photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). It was found that the PCD efficiency of Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ NCs is higher than pure Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ and TiO₂ catalysts.