Novel environmentally-friendly 0D/3D TiO2@FeMoO4 binary composite with boosted photocatalytic performance: Structural analysis and Z-scheme interpretations

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 1010; p. 177265
• Main Authors: El-Sabban, Heba A., Mady, Amr Hussein, Diab, M.A., Zoubi, Wail Al, Kang, Jee-Hyun, Ko, Y.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 05.01.2025
• Subjects: Mechanism of charge transfer; TiO2 NPs, FeMoO4 cuboids; Z-Scheme heterojunction; Mechanism of charge transfer; TiO2 NPs, FeMoO4 cuboids; Z-Scheme heterojunction
• ISSN: 0925-8388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.177265

For efficient pollutant degradation under any extreme circumstances, TiO2-based photocatalyst being accessible and inexpensive will be a desirable engineering source satisfying excellent photocatalytic performance in an eco-friendly manner. Here, we report the unfolded way of designing the novel concept of Z-scheme heterojunction consisting of TiO2 and FeMoO4 via thermal techniques in which hydrothermal treatment was coupled sequentially by the calcination step. The well-aligned band structure of the developed composite, possessing numerous active sites, enhanced the separation of the generated charge carriers which in turn boosted the photocatalytic efficiency. The prepared photocatalysts were thoroughly investigated via different techniques like XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM, TEM-EDS, Pl, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance, and Uv-Vis spectroscopy. The TiO2-8 wt% FeMoO4 (TF 8 %) photocatalyst displayed better photocatalytic performance for removing Basic Fuchsin dye (BF) in 20 min than other counterparts under visible light irradiation. Furthermore, the probable photocatalytic mechanism was evidenced by XPS results and the trapping experiments. Trapping experiments revealed that •O2− and •OH radicals were the primary active species. The synthesized TF 8 % photocatalyst has revealed outstanding durability after five successive recycles without change in the structural features which was confirmed by XRD analysis. This work could provide new perspectives into various environmental applications by utilizing highly efficient materials that have been strategically constructed. [Display omitted] •TiO2@FeMoO4 binary Z-scheme photocatalyst was synthesized successfully.•TiO2-8 wt% FeMoO4 (TF 8 %) photocatalyst displayed an outstanding photocatalytic performance, reaching 99 %.•The primary active species are •O2− and •OH radicals,•The Z-scheme mechanism of interfacial charge transfer was investigated thoroughly.