Photocatalytic activity of molybdenum-doped LOS- zeolite for efficient dye degradation and hydrogen production

This research investigates the synthesis and application of Losod-zeolite (LOS-Z), a crystalline hydrated sodium aluminosilicate (Na 12 Al 12 Si 12 O 48 .xH 2 O) as a potential photocatalyst for dye degradation and H 2 production from dye-degraded water. The photocatalytic properties are enhanced by impregnating molybdenum (Mo) into LOS-Z (Mo@LOS-Z). XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, and elemental mapping were used to study the physiochemical properties of synthesized materials while UV-vis and PL were employed to explore the optoelectronic properties. The photocatalytic activities for dye degradation and H 2 production were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. An enhancement in the efficiency of dye degradation (56% to 82%) and H 2 production rate was demonstrated due to the competitive photocatalytic performance of 10% Mo@LOS-Z compared to the pristine LOS-Z and CFA-BFA blend. It exhibited 2.5 times higher (∼1200 μmol g -1 h -1 ) H 2 production than the LOS-Z (∼480 μmol g -1 h -1 ) due to the synergistic effects of narrowed band gap and recombination rate. This study could pave the way forward into the synthesis of waste-derived photocatalysts for efficient dye degradation and H 2 production. • LOS-Z was synthesized from a CFA-BFA blend via a 2-step hydrothermal method. • Mo@LOS-Z photocatalysts were synthesized using the wet impregnation method. • Catalysts used for dye degradation and H 2 production from dye-degraded water. • Decreased band gap and recombination improved photocatalysis. • 10% Mo@LOS-Z has high activity in photocatalytic applications.