Modification in structural, optical and morphological properties of hydrothermally synthesized 2D layered structured MoS2(x)V2O5(1-x)(X=1–5%) nanocomposites for photocatalytic application

Two-dimensional (2D) MoS 2 belongs to the class of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs), while V 2 O 5 is categorized as a Transition Metal Oxide (TMO) both materials have demonstrated exceptional photocatalytic properties. In the present study, the hydrothermal technique was employed to synthesize with formulation strategy MoS 2(x) V 2 O 5(1-x) (X = 1–5% w/w) nanocomposites as a prominent photocatalyst under controlled exposure of UV-photons of light for deterioration of industrial wastage in water. The V 2 O 5 nanoparticles were effectively embellished on the surface of two-dimensional molybdenum nano-layered matrix. The crystal phase and morphology such as nanospheres and layered structures of pure V 2 O 5 and MoS 2 -doped-V 2 O 5 nanocomposites were verified by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. In UV–Vis spectroscopy findings, the energy bandgap (E g ) is decreasing pattern from 2.76 to 0.85eV with increment of substitution percentages. The decremented energy bandgap of V 2 O 5 /MoS 2 is revealed to be the cause of the observed additional gamma active states and contributed to the development of conduction and valence bands. The optical conductivity increased from 3.6 to 14.5 Ω −1 cm −1 in the UV visible spectrum, while the energy bandgap decreased from 2.76 to 1.25 eV. In the UV–Vis spectrum absorption peak of prepared nanocomposites exhibits an increase in absorbance from 6.5(a.u.) to 14.5 (a.u.) at wavelength 310 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) investigations reveal that when the doping percentage increases, the intensity of the peaks decreases as signifies a lower rate of electron-hole pair recombination, hence increasing the separation capacity. This separation capacity demonstrates well-organized charge transfer on the enhanced photocatalyst surface area and provides better dye degradation activity. A BET detail analysis included Saito-Foley pore size distribution (SF-PSD), BJH (adsorption) pore area, volume & pore size, and textural properties of MoS 2(x) V 2 O 5(1-x) (X = 1–5% w/w) photocatalyst can be applied as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, long-lasting, and effective photocatalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The degradation of methylene blue (M.B) within 150 min established that the synthesized MoS 2(x) V 2 O 5(1-x) (X = 1–5% w/w) material was shown to be an economically inexpensive and stable nanocomposites for photocatalytic activity. • Hydrothermal technique was employed to synthesize MoS 2(x) V 2 O 5(1-x) (X = 1–5% w/w) nanocomposites as a photocatalyst. • Energy bandgap (E g ) is decreasing pattern from 2.76 to 0.85eV with increment of MoS 2 percentages. • Photoluminescence (PL) investigations reveal that when the doping percentage increases, the intensity of the peaks decreases as signifies a lower rate of electron-hole pair recombination, hence increasing the separation capacity. • A BET results confirmed that synthesized nanocomposites as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, long-lasting photocatalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.