Template-free hydrothermal synthesis of θ-molybdenum trioxide nanobelts and their photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue

Single crystal orthorhombic phase molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO₃) nanobelts with uniform width have been successfully prepared through a simple hydrothermal synthesis route at 180°C in the absence of any template, and are characterised using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The synthesised α-MoO₃ nanobelts are grown along the c-axis direction. The α-MoO₃ nanobelts for degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution exhibit high photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation because of the large aspect ratio of α-MoO₃ nanobelts. The photocatalytic activity loss of the catalyst is not obvious after five recycles.