Template-free hydrothermal synthesis of α-molybdenum trioxide nanobelts and their photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue

Single crystal orthorhombic phase molybdenum trioxide (-MoO3) nanobelts with uniform width have been successfully prepared through a simple hydrothermal synthesis route at 180 degrees C in the absence of any template, and are characterised using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The synthesised -MoO3 nanobelts are grown along the c-axis direction. The -MoO3 nanobelts for degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution exhibit high photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation because of the large aspect ratio of -MoO3 nanobelts. The photocatalytic activity loss of the catalyst is not obvious after five recycles.