Microwave-Assisted Z-Scheme MoO₃@TiO₂ Heterostructure Nanomaterials Emphasizing Photocatalytic Degradation of MO Dye and Antibacterial Properties

An ecologically safe and efficient in terms of energy method of heterostructure photocatalysis based on metal oxide/TiO2 and the quantity of response sites triggered by sunlight to remediate organic dye pollution have garnered a lot of interest from the research community. Two-step microwave-assisted approach has been initiated to synthesize the inexpensive, environmentally benign TiO2 nanoparticles that adorned the MoO3 nanocomposite. Aim of present work is to explore the photocatalytic characteristics of MoO3@TiO2 (MT), as well as its structural, optical, and compositional characteristics along with its bactericidal potency. By using an X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument, the crystal structures of MT have been confirmed. PL analysis indicates MT has the lowest rate of recombination of charge carriers, implying, the charge providers have a higher lifespan and may produce more active •OH radicals during the photocatalytic process. Further, it is clear from the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) study that O²⁻ & OH⁻ are the main active species that degrade Methyl Orange (MO) dyes and play a major role in this process. MT photocatalysts were used to degrade MO dye, and the photocatalytic activity was recorded under exposure to sunlight. The MT photocatalyst shows improved degrading efficacy may be due to fast transit, strong photo-absorption, and excellent separation of the charge carriers. Additionally, the MT photocatalyst retained strong stability, low self-degradation, and great reusability after repeated cycles of the degradation process. Additionally, the improved antibacterial activities for the prepared nanocomposite were seen against gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria analyzed by using the Disc diffusion method.