Enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of Bi2MoO6 for water and p-nitroaniline reduction via iodate (I5+) substitution: Implications of small polaron formation
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Accepted version
Supporting information
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The wide range of potential applications for photocatalysis has made research on photocatalytic materials highly active. However, various limitations hinder large-scale applications of photocatalysis, making the search for novel and improved catalysts an ongoing pursuit. To achieve this, a detailed analysis of material characteristics and charge transfer behavior is crucial. This study investigates the enhancement of Bi2MoO6 (BMO) photocatalytic performance through iodate (I5+) substitution, focusing on its impact on charge transport and reaction efficiency. Employing experimental and computational methods, we propose that carrier migration in Bi2MoO6 follow a small polaron model. Substituting I5+ into Bi2MoO6 increase the exposure on {100} facets, where polaron hopping along the facet is easier than on the exposed {010} facet of pristine Bi2MoO6. Moreover, this substitution creates defects and increases charge carrier concentration by approximately threefold. The increased Fermi energy level enables I-doped Bi2MoO6 to generate H2 and enhance p-nitroaniline reduction activity. As a result, the catalyst exhibits nearly 10 times higher efficiency in both reactions. This work highlights a defect-engineering strategy that potentially involves polaronic transport to improve photocatalyst design, offering a promising solution for sustainable energy applications, including water splitting and selective organic transformations.
Date Issued
2025-09-01
Date Acceptance
2025-06-17
Citation
Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025, 519
ISSN
1385-8947
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
165082
End Page
165082
Journal / Book Title
Chemical Engineering Journal
Volume
519
Copyright Statement
© 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
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Publication Status
Published
Article Number
165082
Date Publish Online
2025-06-21