Bismuth molybdate nanoparticles modified graphene oxide: A novel nanocomposite for photocatalytic removal of organic dyes

Utilization of solar energy for the degradation of organic pollutants is a promising sustainable approach. Here in this research work, bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) nanoparticles (NPs) modified graphene oxide sheets (Bi2MoO6@GO) were employed as efficient photocatalysts for the removal of organic dyes under illuminated sunlight. The synthesized nanocomposite was subjected to characterization via XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM, EDX and UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis. The photocatalytic efficiency of fabricated nanocomposite (Bi2MoO6@GO) has been studied against organic pollutants including rhodamine B and methylene blue in aqueous solution under direct sunlight irradiation. Bi2MoO6 decorated graphene oxide nano-photocatalyst exhibited 91 % and 88 % degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B within similar to 70 min with apparent rate constant values of 0.0323 and 0.0246 min(-1), respectively. The study showed that fabricated photocatalyst (Bi2MoO6@GO) possesses a comparatively low band gap, heterogeneous morphology and boosted active surface area which makes it an efficient photocatalyst for the effective remediation of organic pollutants.