Rapid and high-throughput synthesis of rare earth molybdate materials via molten salt method

Abstract

The exceptional electronic structure of rare earth molybdates renders them highly suitable for applications in photocatalysis and photoluminescence. However, currently available methods for preparing rare earth molybdates suffer from drawbacks such as inefficient yields, prolonged synthesis duration and high sintering temperatures. Here we present a novel molten salt method that facilitates rapid and high-throughput preparation of rare earth molybdate materials. This method achieved a yield of 99% for the synthesis of rare earth molybdate within a 5 h duration. An investigation into the structural and morphological characteristics of synthetic rare earth molybdate was conducted. The photocatalytic activity of Nd6MoO12 and Ln2MoO6 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd) for Methylene blue degradation demonstrates their effective functional applications in the field of photocatalysis. The fluorescence properties of Sm3+/Eu3+-doped Gd2MoO6 demonstrate their potential applications in white light emitting diodes. These studies provide a new path to realize the synthesis of rare earth molybdate functional materials in a rapid and high-throughput manner.