Toward efficient dye degradation and the bactericidal behavior of Mo-doped La₂O₃ nanostructures

In this study, different concentrations (0, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 wt%) of Mo doped onto La₂O₃ nanostructures were synthesized using a one-pot co-precipitation process. The aim was to study the ability of Mo-doped La₂O₃ samples to degrade toxic methylene blue dye in different pH media. The bactericidal potential of synthesized samples was also investigated. The structural properties of prepared samples were examined by XRD. The observed XRD spectrum of La₂O₃ showed a cubic and hexagonal structure, while no change was recorded in Mo-doped La₂O₃ samples. Doping with Mo improved the crystallinity of the samples. UV-Vis spectrophotometry and density functional theory calculations were used to assess the optical characteristics of Mo-La₂O₃. The band gap energy was reduced while the absorption spectra showed prominent peaks due to Mo doping. The HR-TEM results revealed the rod-like morphology of La₂O₃. The rod-like network appeared to become dense upon doping. A significant degradation of MB was confirmed with Mo; furthermore, the bactericidal activities against S. aureus and E. coli were measured as 5.05 mm and 5.45 mm inhibition zones, respectively, after doping with a high concentration (6%) of Mo.