Fabrication and characterization of Th(MoO4)(2)/TiO2 nanocomposite for potential use in photocatalytic degradation of toxic pollutants

Abstract

Heterojunction nanostructures are gaining popularity due to their extensive use in catalytic activities, such as pollutant removal and biomedical applications. In this study, a novel Th(MoO4)(2)/TiO2 hybrid nanocomposite with heterogeneous assemblies was fabricated and characterized for a potent use in toxic pollutant detection and degradation. Analytical techniques, such as powder XRD, FTIR, UV-DRS, PL, FESEM, HRTEM, EDX, and XPS, were used to examine the prepared nanocomposite. The crystallite sizes of the various heterostructures were determined by XRD patterns to be 27.91 nm, 25.79 nm, 17.91 nm, and 36.63 nm, respectively. The interaction between the heterojunction nanostructure and the surface oxygen vacancies on Th(MoO4)(2)-TiO2 hybrid nanostructure was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The PL bands at the long wavelength side of the heterojunction have been attributed to the oxygen vacancies (OVs). The cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique was used to detect dichlorvos (DDVP) using a Th(MoO4)(2)-TiO2-modified electrode. The surface coverage concentration of the modified Th(MoO4)(2)-TiO2 electrode was calculated to be 2.8923 x 10(-4). The composite was also tested as a photocatalyst for the degradation of Congo red (CR) dye in visible light. Within 130 min, the photocatalyst degraded approximately 97% of the dye in acidic medium. The results revealed that the Th(MoO4)(2)-TiO2 nanocomposite exhibits excellent photocatalytic, cytotoxic, and antibacterial properties and will be useful in real-world applications.