Investigation of the physical properties of K2Co2(MoO4)3 for photocatalytic application

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 29; no. 21; pp. 18372 - 18379
• Main Authors: Nasri, R., Larbi, T., Amlouk, M., Zid, M. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.11.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Carrier recombination; Catalytic activity; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crystal defects; Crystal structure; Current carriers; Diffraction; Fourier transforms; Interstitials; Lattice parameters; Lattice vacancies; Lattice vibration; Materials Science; Morphology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Photocatalysis; Photoluminescence; Physical properties; Scanning probe microscopy; Spectrum analysis; Vibration mode; Water treatment; X-ray diffraction; Xenon
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-018-9951-x

In this contribution, potassium cobalt(II) molybdate K 2 Co 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 was synthesized by a solid-state reaction process. The morphology, the microstructure and the optical properties of the prepared compound have been studied by means of scanning probe microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR and Raman spectroscopy respectively. Also, this material was studied by photoluminescence and UV–Vis spectroscopy. XRD analysis revealed that K 2 Co 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system with P2 1 /c space group and lattice parameters: a = 7.038(8) Å, b = 8.987(9) Å, c = 20.573(3) Å, β = 112.19(3)°, V = 1204.9(7) Å 3 and Z = 4. This structure can be described by the presence of tetramers linked with each other by MoO 4 tetrahedra giving a three-dimensional crystal structure containing channels in which K + ions reside. Obtained Raman and IR lines were assigned to different normal vibration modes. The photoluminescence spectrum shows several peaks associated mainly with interstitials defects and oxygen vacancies due to a photoinduced charge carrier recombination. It is found that the rate of MB degradation is about 80% for xenon and UV (8 W) lights and it is of about 60% over sunlight during 2 h. This work suggests a good photocatalytic activity of K 2 Co 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 , which may be of interest to develop a safe, cost-effective solar water treatment process.