The dual-wavelength excitation photochromic behavior of organic induced MoO3 powders synthesized via a hydrothermal route

Abstract

Production of molybdenum oxide materials with dual-wavelength excitation photochromism which could be motivated by UV and visual light is attractive. Here, we have successfully synthesized the novel dual-wavelength excitation photochromic molybdenum oxide (MoO3) powders with organic inducers. The variety and amount of organic inducers have great impact on the final product morphologies. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET nitrogen physisorption apparatus, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis), and color difference meter. The XRD spectrums of samples demonstrate that the as-obtained products are pure hexagonal phase. The non-induced MoO3 powders present to be neat hexagonal prisms while the induced MoO3 powders possess flower-like and yuba-like structures. In addition, we found that sample S3 got the optimized photochromic property. This could be attributed to the enhanced light harvesting from multiple light reflections and scattering in-between the cavities on the surface of spheroidal-flower structure.