The copper molybdate, lindgrenite was synthesised via co-precipitation and calcined at 500°C to form Cu3Mo2O9 which was confirmed by XRD with an estimated average crystallite size of 49 nm. The optical properties were investigated using UV-Vis spectrometry and the band gap was calculated to be 2.25 eV. Electron microscopy images confirmed the morphology of the catalysts and indicated the material to be crystalline agglomerated particles of ca. 100 nm. The addition of the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate resulted in an increased aspect ratio of the copper molybdate nanoparticles and an increase in surface area. Here the surfactant resulted in a platelet morphology, in contrast the standard preparation. Photocatalytic degradation over the catalyst was investigated under UV light (254 nm, 6W lamp) with the dye indigo carmine. Cu3Mo2O9 catalyst degraded the dye over 6 h, however, the material formed with surfactant did not increase the degradation rate. The influence of the increased aspect ratio and morphology with respect to the active surface will be discussed.

Surfactant control of copper molybdate nanoparticles for photocatalysis

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.