Mn-doped molybdenum trioxide for photocatalysis and solar cell applications

• Published in: Optical materials 2021-11, Vol.121, p.111614, Article 111614
• Main Authors: Taya, Y.A., Ali, H.M., Shokr, E. Kh, Abd El-Raheem, M.M., Hasaneen, M.F., Elkot, Sh.A., Hassan, A.M., Abdel Hakeem, A.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrical properties; Optical properties; Photocatalysis; SEM; XRD
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2021.111614

Mn-doped MoO3 with different compositions in powder and thin film form have been prepared. The Orthorhombic (α-MoO3) crystal structure of pure MoO3 was revealed for (Mn)x(MoO3)1-x powdered samples, while the as-deposited films manifested an amorphous structure. FTIR spectra ensured that bonds are belonging to the vibrations of MoO bonds to Mo–O–Mo stretching vibrations at the optimum peaks, confirming the presence of a single phase of MoO3. For powdered samples, the intensity of reflection has reached the maximum value (up to ≈ 85%) for (Mn)x(MoO3)1-x sample with x = 0.02 at.%, whereas the minimum value of reflection was obtained for undoped and (Mn)x(MoO3)1-x sample with x = 0.10 at.%. For thin films, the intensity of reflectance varies from 10% to 25% for all the samples. The optical energy was found to vary from 3.20 eV to 3.33 eV for the powdered samples and from 3.11 to 3.66 for as-deposited thin films. The photocatalytic properties were studied for all powdered samples by determining the absorbance of Methylene blue, using UV source as a function of illumination time. The degradation efficiency had maximum value of 48.5% at x = 0.10 at.%. The electrical conductivity study exhibited that, the maximum electrical conductivity of 3.11 × 102 (Ω m)−1 was obtained for the sample x = 0.10 at.%. It was a good match with the high degradation efficiency, minimum value of absorption, and narrow bandgap that existed due to the formation of the intermediate state of Mn. •Mn-doped MoO3 compositions in powder and thin film form have been prepared.•Orthorhombic (α-MoO3) crystal structure was obtained for powdered samples.•The degradation efficiency have maximum value of 48.5% at x = 0.10 at.%.•(Mn)x(MoO3)1-x films are possible to utilize as electrodes for solar cells.