Facile microwave synthesis of bismuth molybdate nanostructures and their characterization for optoelectronic applications

Facile microwave synthesis of monophasic bismuth molybdate (α-Bi2Mo3O12) nanoparticles/nanosheets were achieved with different contents of Cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactants. The effect of CTAB contents on physical properties of α-Bi2Mo3O12 has been studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FT-Raman studies approved the monophasic synthesis of α-Bi2Mo3O12 without any additional impurity or separate phase. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) study further confirm the synthesis of bismuth molybdate. The morphology of α-Bi2Mo3O12 was strongly affected by CTAB contents and it was transformed from nanoparticles to nanosheets like structure, however, no separate phase was observed. For optical band gap analysis diffused reflectance spectra were measured and Kubelka-Munk theory was employed to determine energy gap and noticed between 2.76 and 3.10 eV. Furthermore, dielectric constant (ε’), loss (ε’‘), and ac electrical conductivity (σac) was determined and discussed. The values of ε’ were noticed between 17 and 27. The electrical conduction mechanism was also discussed through calculating the frequency exponent values. SEM image showing nanosheets/nano disks morphology, band gap variation and ac electrical conductivity with CTAB contents of α-Bi2Mo3O12. [Display omitted] •Novel monophasic α-Bi2Mo3O12 nanostructures with different CTAB contents were synthesized facilely by microwave technique.•XRD, FT-Raman and EDX studies confirm the synthesis of α-Bi2Mo3O12 at all CTAB contents.•SEM analysis confirm the morphology transformation from nanoparticles/nanoclusters to nanosheets/nano discs.•CTAB contents tailored the energy gap of α-Bi2Mo3O12 between 2.76 and 3.10 eV.•Dielectric and electrical properties were tailored with CTAB content addition.