Boosted solar-driven photocatalysis: silver molybdate/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for methylene blue decomposition

In this work, reduced graphene oxide coupled silver molybdate binary nanocomposites (Ag2MoO4/rGO nanocomposites) have been prepared via ethanolic dispersion method. The crystalline character and surface properties of the developed Ag2MoO4/rGO nanocomposites were proved by X-ray diffractional (XRD), scanning electronic microscopic (SEM), and transition emission microscopic (TEM) techniques. Photocatalytic activity was tested by analyzing the degradation of methylene blue dye solution which shows excellent degradation ability. Ultraviolet diffused reflectance spectral analysis (UV-DRS) and photoluminescence analysis (PL) clearly shows the synergetic photocatalytic effect of Ag2MoO4/rGO nanocomposites. The photocatalytic activity of Ag2MoO4/rGO binary nanocomposites was compared with bare rGO and Ag2MoO4 in the same experimental conditions. Moreover, the effect of mass ratios of rGO in the Ag2MoO4/rGO binary nanocomposites on the photocatalytic activity was explored comparatively due to its advanced charge carrier separation and ease of adoption with photocatalysts. The optical properties and experimental results proposed a plausible photocatalytic mechanism for the Ag2MoO4/rGO binary nanocomposites. The synthetic route is independent of expensive treatments like surfactant-based artificial techniques and post-annealing therapy. Hence, Ag2MoO4/rGO binary nanocomposites may be applicable for dye effluent treatment.