Effect of poly(ethylene glycol) surfactant on carbon-doped MoO 3 nanocomposite materials and its photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Carbon-doped MoO 3 samples were prepared by impregnation method. The effect of addition of polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG-400) and carbon (0, 1, 2 and 3 wt. %) as substrates, were investigated systematically to get the desired phase of carbon-doped MoO 3 material. The carbon used was prepared from the natural sources such as Acacia arabika plant wood. The resulting samples were calcined at 500°C. The effect of PEG-400 and carbon composite on the structure, particle size and morphology of MoO 3 was investigated. The samples thus prepared gave better control of particle size and porosity. The prepared samples were characterized using XRD, SEM–EDS and FT–IR techniques. Photocatalytic activities of the samples were studied with degradation of methylene blue. The 3 wt.% carbon-doped MoO 3 modified by PEG-400 (CMP3) sample showed enhanced photocatalytic activity in comparison with the undoped samples.