The effect of morphology and crystalline structure of Mo/MoO3 layers on photocatalytic degradation of water organic pollutants

Molybdenum oxide layers were formed by anodization of the Mo metallic foil in a water/ethylene glycol-based electrolyte containing fluoride ions. The as-prepared, amorphous samples were annealed in air at different temperatures in a range from 100 °C to 700 °C. The crystal phase and morphology of anodized and annealed MoO3 layers were investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The photoactivity of obtained materials was tested during a photocatalytic process of methylene blue (MB) decomposition. The increase of annealing temperature led to the production of films characterized by improved photocatalytic properties, with maximum photocatalytic efficiency observed for MoO3 annealed at 600 °C. The studies on the use of MoO3 as a photoelectrocatalyst for degradation of dye were performed. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of the MoO3 annealed at 600 °C was investigated during a photodegradation of diclofenac acting as a model pharmaceutical compound. [Display omitted] •Molybdenum oxide layers were formed by anodization of the Mo metallic foil.•The photoactive material was synthesized directly on the electricity conductive substrate.•The photoactivity of MoO3 was tested during a photocatalytic process of MB decomposition.