Ce(MoO4)2 nanostructures: Synthesis, characterization, and its photocatalyst application through the ultrasonic method

Abstract

In the present study, cerium molybdate nanostructures were successfully synthesized in the presence of Ce(NO3)3·6H2O and (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O as the starting reagents in an aqueous solution under varying conditions through the ultrasonic method. The effects of processing parameters such as the dosage of glucose and ultrasonic power on the morphology and particle size of final product were investigated by SEM technique. Furthermore, glucose was applied as a green capping agent. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first successful attempt for the synthesis of Ce(MoO4)2 nanostructures by ultrasonic method. Based on the SEM results in this research, it was found that these parameters play an important role on the morphology and particle size of the Ce(MoO4)2 nanostructures. The as-synthesized Ce(MoO4)2 nanostructures were characterized extensively by XRD, SEM, UV–Vis, and EDS. Moreover, in the presence of Ce(MoO4)2 nanostructures as photocatalyst, the maximum percentage of methyl orange degradation was about 89% after 5h under ultraviolet light irradiation.