Fabrication of High Surface Area TiO2-MoO3 Nanocomposite as a Photocatalyst for Organic Pollutants Removal from Water Bodies

A nanocomposite (NC) of titanium (IV) oxide (TiO2) and molybdenum (VI) (MoO3) was synthesized using a hydrothermal route. Detailed analyses transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, fluorescence (XRF), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherms, photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy were carried out confirmed the successful formation pure TiO2-MoO3 (Ti-Mo) NC. The Ti-Mo NC possesses sizes in range 150–500 nm. XPS, DRIFT shift measurements mixed linkage form Ti-O-Mo. Sorption nitrogen isotherms revealed significant increase number pore widths mesopores Water sorption enhanced affinity nanocomposites for water relative to metal oxides. BET surface area from adsorption isotherm 129.3 m2/g which is much higher than oxides (i.e., 37.56 TiO2 2.21 MoO3). provided suitable sites that captured studied carbamates solution promoted their photodegradation process. photocatalytic degradation MB presence catalyst by 2.9 5.5 folds upon irradiation with white LED 302 nm UV light sources, respectively.