Single-crystalline orthorhombic molybdenum oxide nanobelts: synthesis and photocatalytic properties

Single crystalline MoO3 nanobelts with width of 200–300 nm and the length up to several tens of micrometres were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method and characterized. Based on time- and temperature-dependent experiments, a solid–solution–solid transformation mechanism was proposed for the formation of crystalline MoO3 nanobelts. The as-prepared MoO3 nanobelts were used as a photocatalyst to degrade methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation and demonstrated a dramatic activity, indicating that the as-prepared MoO3 nanobelts were promising candidates for the photodegradation of organic dyes. A self-sensitization photocatalytic mechanism was suggested based on the experimental results.