Improved photocatalytic performance by interface functionalized defect-mediated V₂O₅ incorporated MoSe₂ nanoflowers

The novel nanostructured semiconducting V₂O₅ incorporated MoSe₂ photocatalyst was synthesized using a hydrothermal method and was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV–Vis spectrometer and photoluminescence spectrometer (PL). The X-ray diffraction patterns confirm that the material possesses a polycrystalline structure, and the incorporation of V₂O₅ leads to the introduction of defects in the MoSe₂ phase. The FESEM and TEM images display a flower-like morphology of MoSe₂, with petals at the nanoscale. Additionally, the heterostructure demonstrates a uniform growth of MoSe₂ over the surface of the V₂O₅ nanobelt structure. The UV–vis reflectance spectra elucidate that V₂O₅ incorporation on MoSe₂ nanoflowers leads to the broadening of the bandgap from 1.46 eV to 1.52 eV. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra analysis depicts the formation of defect states resulting from incorporating V₂O₅. Under the irradiation of UV light, the photocatalytic study of MoSe₂ and MoSe₂/V₂O₅ to degrade organic rhodamine B (RhB) dye reveals that the degradation is better for MoSe₂/V₂O₅ nanocomposites (80 %) rather than that of MoSe₂ nanoflowers (62 %). This improvement in photocatalytic performance is attributed to the reduction of carrier recombination rate due to the intermediate trap states between the valence and conduction bands.