Preparation of heterostructure Pt/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites by microwave-assisted deposition method for using as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst

Heterostructure Pt/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites containing different weight contents of Pt nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by an effective microwave-assisted deposition method. The effect of Pt contents loaded on the Bi2MoO6 nanoplates was investigated through the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) illuminated by visible radiation. Face-centered cubic (FCC) metallic Pt nanoparticles were supported on the surface of orthorhombic Bi2MoO6 nanoplates with very good distribution by a microwave-assisted deposition method. The photocatalytic performance of Bi2MoO6 nanoplates was increased with increasing the loaded Pt nanoparticles from 1% to 10%. Upon further increasing the loaded Pt nanoparticles to 15%, the photocatalytic performance for the degradation of RhB was significantly reduced. In this research, 10% Pt/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites have the highest photocatalytic activity because Pt nanoparticles are very good electrical conductors that play the role of enhancing photocatalytic reaction rate.