Surfactant‐Free Synthesis of Plasmonic Tungsten Oxide Nanowires with Visible‐Light‐Enhanced Hydrogen Generation from Ammonia Borane

WO_3?x nanowires were successfully synthesized through a simple surfactant‐free solvothermal method. These nanowires exhibit strong plasmonic absorption in the visible and near‐infrared region owing to the abundant oxygen vacancies. The plasmon excitation of these WO_3?x nanowires provide five times enhancement on the hydrogen generation from ammonia borane.     

CO2‐Assisted Fabrication of Two‐Dimensional Amorphous Molybdenum Oxide Nanosheets for Enhanced Plasmon Resonances

As a remarkable class of plasmonic materials, two dimensional (2D) semiconductor compounds have attracted attention owing to their controlled manipulation of plasmon resonances in the visible light spectrum, which outperforms conventional noble metals. However, tuning of plasmonic resonances for 2D semiconductors remains challenging. Herein, we design a novel method to obtain amorphous molybdenum oxide (MoO₃) nanosheets, in which it combines the oxidation of MoS₂ and subsequent supercritical CO₂‐treatment, which is a crucial step for the achievement of amorphous structure of MoO₃. Upon illumination, hydrogen‐doped MoO₃ exhibits tuned surface plasmon resonances in the visible and near‐IR regions. Moreover, a unique behavior of the amorphous MoO₃ nanosheets has been found in an optical biosensing system; there is an optimum plasmon resonance after incubation with different BSA concentrations, suggesting a tunable plasmonic device in the near future.     

Hydrogen Doping into MoO3 Supports toward Modulated Metal–Support Interactions and Efficient Furfural Hydrogenation on Iridium Nanocatalysts

As promising supports, reducible metal oxides afford strong metal–support interactions to achieve efficient catalysis, which relies on their band states and surface stoichiometry. In this study, in situ and controlled hydrogen doping (H doping) by means of H₂ spillover was employed to engineer the metal–support interactions in hydrogenated MoO_x‐supported Ir (Ir/H?MoO_x) catalysts and thus promote furfural hydrogenation to furfuryl alcohol. By easily varying the reduction temperature, the resulting H doping in a controlled manner tailors low‐valence Mo species (Mo⁵⁺ and Mo⁴⁺) on H?MoO_x supports, thereby promoting charge redistribution on Ir and H?MoO_x interfaces. This further leads to clear differences in H₂ chemisorption on Ir, which illustrates its potential for catalytic hydrogenation. As expected, the optimal Ir/H?MoO_x with controlled H doping afforded high activity (turnover frequency: 4.62 min^?1) and selectivity (>99 %) in furfural hydrogenation under mild conditions (T=30 °C, P =2 MPa), which means it performs among the best of current catalysts.     

Surfactant‐Free Nonaqueous Synthesis of Plasmonic Molybdenum Oxide Nanosheets with Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Hydrogen Generation from Ammonia Borane under Visible Light

Plasmonic materials have drawn emerging interest, especially in nontraditional semiconductor nanostructures with earth‐abundant elements and low resistive loss. However, the actualization of highly efficient catalysis in plasmonic semiconductor nanostructures is still a challenge, owing to the presence of surface‐capping agents in their synthetic procedures. To fulfill this, a facile non‐aqueous procedure was employed to prepare well‐defined molybdenum oxide nanosheets in the absence of surfactants. The obtained MoO_3‐x nanosheets display intense absorption in a wide range attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonances, which can be tuned from the visible to the near‐infrared region. Herein, we demonstrate that such plasmonic semiconductor nanostructures could be used as highly efficient catalysts that dramatically enhance the hydrogen‐generation activity of ammonia borane under visible light irradiation.     

Porous Molybdenum Phosphide Nano‐Octahedrons Derived from Confined Phosphorization in UIO‐66 for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Herein, a series of porous nano‐structured carbocatalysts have been fused and decorated by Mo‐based composites, such as Mo₂C, MoN, and MoP, to form a hybrid structures. Using the open porosity derived from the pyrolysis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the highly dispersive MoO₂ small nanoparticles can be deposited in porous carbon by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Undergoing different treatments of carbonization, nitridation, and phosphorization, the Mo₂C‐, MoN‐, and MoP‐decorated carbocatalysts can be selectively prepared with un‐changed morphology. Among these Mo‐based composites, the MoP@Porous carbon (MoP@PC) composites exhibited remarkable catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 m H₂SO₄ aqueous solution versus MoO₂@PC, Mo₂C@PC, and MoN@PC. This study gives a promising family of multifunctional lab‐on‐a‐particle architectures which shed light on energy conversion and fuel‐cell catalysis.     

Molybdenum Carbide‐Oxide Heterostructures: In Situ Surface Reconfiguration toward Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Heterostructured Mo₂C‐MoO_x on carbon cloth (Mo₂C‐MoO_x/CC), as a model of easily oxidized electrocatalysts under ambient conditions, is investigated to uncover surface reconfiguration during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Raman spectroscopy combined with electrochemical tests demonstrates that the Mo^VI oxides on the surface are in situ reduced to Mo^IV, accomplishing promoted HER in acidic condition. As indicated by density functional theoretical calculations, the in situ reduced surface with terminal Mo=O moieties can effectively bring the negative ΔG_H* on bare Mo₂C close to a thermodynamic neutral value, addressing difficult H* desorption toward fast HER kinetics. The optimized Mo₂C‐MoO_x/CC only requires a low overpotential (η₁₀) of 60 mV at ?10 mA cm^?2 in 1.0 m HClO₄, outperforming Mo₂C/CC and most non‐precious electrocatalysts. In situ surface reconfiguration are shown on W₂C‐WO_x, highlighting the significance to boost various metal‐carbides and to identify active sites.     

Poly[propane‐1,3‐diammonium [tetra‐μ3‐oxo‐hexaoxotrimolybdenum(VI)] dihydrate]

The crystal structure of the title compound, {(C₃H₁₂N₂)[Mo₃O₁₀]·2H₂O}_n, is composed of [Mo₃O₁₀]²⁻ anionic chains, propane‐1,3‐diammonium cations and solvent water molecules. The [Mo₃O₁₀]²⁻ chain is constructed from edge‐sharing MoO₆ octahedra. The protonated propane‐1,3‐diamine cations and solvent water molecules are located between the chains and are linked to the O atoms of the inorganic chains by hydrogen bonds.     

Surface Plasmon Resonance‐Enhanced Visible‐NIR‐Driven Photocatalytic and Photothermal Catalytic Performance by Ag/Mesoporous Black TiO2 Nanotube Heterojunctions

Ag/mesoporous black TiO₂ nanotubes heterojunctions (Ag‐MBTHs) were fabricated through a surface hydrogenation, wet‐impregnation and photoreduction strategy. The as‐prepared Ag‐MBTHs possess a relatively high specific surface area of ≈85 m² g^?1 and an average pore size of ≈13.2 nm. The Ag‐MBTHs with a narrow band gap of ≈2.63 eV extend the photoresponse from UV to the visible‐light and near‐infrared (NIR) region. They exhibit excellent visible‐NIR‐driven photothermal catalytic and photocatalytic performance for complete conversion of nitro aromatic compounds (100 %) and mineralization of highly toxic phenol (100 %). The enhancement can be attributed to the mesoporous hollow structures increasing the light multi‐refraction, the Ti³⁺ in frameworks and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of plasmonic Ag nanoparticles favoring light‐harvesting and spatial separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, which is confirmed by transient fluorescence. The fabrication of this SPR‐enhanced visible‐NIR‐driven Ag‐MBTHs catalyst may provide new insights for designing other high‐performance heterojunctions as photocatalytic and photothermal catalytic nanomaterials.     

Construction of hole‐transported MoO3‐x coupled with CdS nanospheres for boosting photocatalytic performance via oxygen‐defects‐mediated Z‐scheme charge transfer

The establishment of Z‐scheme charge transfer between semiconductors is an effective method to improve the performance of hybridized semiconductor photocatalysts. Herein, the novel photocatalysts consisting of MoO_3‐x and varying amounts of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanospheres were successfully prepared via the one‐pot hydrothermal method in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). It is indicated that the PVP not only served as the reducing agent for the formation of oxygen defects in MoO_3‐x, but also the cross‐linking agent for the coupling between MoO_3‐x and CdS. The CdS/MoO_3‐x composite allowed for higher visible‐light photocatalytic performance for enhanced removal of methylene blue and tetracycline with an efficiency of 97.6% and 85.5%, respectively. The improved performance of the CdS/MoO_3‐x composite was found to be mainly attributable to the remarkable charge carrier separation and transfer between CdS and MoO_3‐x based on the favorable hole‐transporting nature and oxygen deficiencies of MoO_3‐x. In addition, the hole‐oxidized photocorrosion of CdS was efficiently suppressed due to the presence of hole‐attractive MoO_3‐x. At the solid interface, an oxygen‐defects‐mediated Z‐scheme charge carrier transfer pathway was proposed as the underlying mechanism for the superior photocatalytic reaction.     

Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen‐Production Performance of Graphene–ZnxCd1−xS Composites by Using an Organic S Source

In response to the increasing concerns over energy and environmental sustainability, photocatalytic water‐splitting technology has attracted broad attention for its application in directly converting solar energy to valuable hydrogen (H₂) energy. In this study, high‐efficiency visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic H₂ production without the assistance of precious‐metal cocatalysts was achieved on graphene–Zn_xCd_1?xS composites with controlled compositions. The graphene‐Zn_xCd_1?xS composites were for the first time fabricated by a one‐step hydrothermal method with thiourea as an organic S source. It was found that thiourea facilitates heterogeneous nucleation of Zn_xCd_1?xS and in situ growth of Zn_xCd_1?xS nanoparticles on graphene nanosheets. Such a scenario results in abundant and intimate interfacial contact between graphene and Zn_xCd_1?xS nanoparticles, efficient transfer of the photogenerated charge carriers, and enhanced photocatalytic activity for H₂ production. The highest H₂‐production rate of 1.06 mmol h^?1 g^?1 was achieved on a graphene–Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S composite photocatalyst with a graphene content of 0.5 wt %, and the apparent quantum efficiency was 19.8 % at 420 nm. In comparison, the graphene–Zn_xCd_1?xS composite photocatalyst prepared by using an inorganic S source such as Na₂S exhibited much lower activity for photocatalytic H₂ production. In this case, homogeneous nucleation of Zn_xCd_1?xS becomes predominant and results in insufficient and loose contact with the graphene backbone through weak van der Waals forces and a large particle size. This study highlights the significance of the choice of S source in the design and fabrication of advanced graphene‐based sulfide photocatalytic materials with enhanced activity for photocatalytic H₂ production.     

Economical Oxygenation of Olefins and Sulfides Catalyzed by New Molybdenum(VI) Tridentate Schiff Base Complexes: Synthesis and Crystal Structure

Abstract. New cis‐dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes (MoO₂Y^xCH₃OH) were synthesized using MoO₂(acac)₂ and 2[(1‐hydroxy‐2‐methylpropane‐2‐ylimino)methyl]phenol derivatives as tridentate ONO donor Schiff base ligands (H₂Y^x). MoY¹ was crystallized in orthorhombic space group Pbca. The epoxidation of olefins using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide and oxidation of sulfides to the sulfoxides by hydrogen peroxide were efficiently enhanced by the catalytic activity of title Mo^VI complexes with excellent selectivity. The high efficiency and relative stability of the catalysts was observed by turnover number and UV/Vis investigations. The electron‐rich and bulky ligands promoted the effectiveness of the catalysts.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Arene‐Bridged Metal–Metal‐Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes

The bis(hydride) dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(H)₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(thf)₂], 2 , which possesses a quadruply bonded Mo₂^II core, undergoes light‐induced (365 nm) reductive elimination of H₂ and arene coordination in benzene and toluene solutions, with formation of the Mo^I₂ complexes [Mo₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(arene)], 3?C₆H₆ and 3?C₆H₅Me , respectively. The analogous C₆H₅OMe, p‐C₆H₄Me₂, C₆H₅F, and p‐C₆H₄F₂ derivatives have also been prepared by thermal or photochemical methods, which nevertheless employ different Mo₂ complex precursors. X‐ray crystallography and solution NMR studies demonstrate that the molecule of the arene bridges the molybdenum atoms of the Mo^I₂ core, coordinating to each in an η² fashion. In solution, the arene rotates fast on the NMR timescale around the Mo₂‐arene axis. For the substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, the NMR data are consistent with the existence of a major rotamer in which the metal atoms are coordinated to the more electron‐rich C?C bonds.     

Hybrid Coordination Networks Constructed from ɛ‐Keggin‐Type Polyoxometalates and Rigid Imidazole‐Based Bridging Ligands as New Carriers for Noble‐Metal Catalysts

Three hybrid coordination networks that were constructed from ?‐Keggin polyoxometalate building units and imidazole‐based bridging ligands were prepared under hydrothermal conditions, that is, H[(Hbimb)₂(bimb){Zn₄PMo^V8Mo^VI₄O₄₀}] ? 6 H₂O ( 1 ), [Zn(Hbimbp)(bimbp)₃{Zn₄PMo^V8Mo^VI₄O₄₀}] ? DMF ? 3.5 H₂O ( 2 ), and H[Zn₂(timb)₂(bimba)₂Cl₂{Zn₄PMo^V8Mo^VI₄O₄₀}] ? 7 H₂O ( 3 ) (bimb=1,4‐bis(1‐imidazolyl)benzene, bimbp=4,4′‐bis(imidazolyl)biphenyl, timb=1,3,5‐tris(1‐imidazolyl)benzene, bimba=3,5‐bis(1‐imidazolyl)benzenamine). All three compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The mixed valence of the Mo centers was analyzed by XPS spectroscopy and bond‐valence sum calculations. In all three compounds, the ?‐Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) units acted as nodes that were connected by rigid imidazole‐based bridging ligands to form hybrid coordination networks. In compound 1 , 1D zigzag chains extended to form a 3D supramolecular architecture through intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Compound 2 consisted of 2D curved sheets, whilst compound 3 contained chiral 2D networks. Because of the intrinsic reducing properties of ?‐Keggin POM species, noble‐metal nanoparticles were loaded onto these POM‐based coordination networks. Thus, compounds 1 – 3 were successfully loaded with Ag nanoparticles, and the corresponding composite materials exhibited high catalytic activities for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol.     

Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO Nanorods Coupled by Two‐Dimensional α‐MoO3 Nanoflakes under UV and Visible Light Irradiation

We exploit the utilization of two‐dimensional (2D) molybdenum oxide nanoflakes as a co‐catalyst for ZnO nanorods (NRs) to enhance their photocatalytic performance. The 2D nanoflakes of orthorhombic α‐MoO₃ were synthesized through a sonication‐aided exfoliation technique. The 2D MoO₃ nanoflakes can be further converted to substoichiometric quasi‐metallic MoO_3?x by using UV irradiation. Subsequently, 1D–2D MoO₃/ZnO NR and MoO_3?x/ZnO NR composite photocatalysts have been successfully synthesized. The photocatalytic performances of the novel nanosystems in the decomposition of methylene blue are studied by using UV‐ and visible‐illumination setup. The incorporated 2D nanoflakes show a positive influence on the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO. The obtained rate constant values follow the order of pristine ZnO NR<MoO₃/ZnO NR<MoO_3?x/ZnO NR composites. The enhancement of the photocatalytic efficiency can be ascribed to a fast charge carrier separation and transport within the heterojunctions of the MoO₃/ZnO NRs. In particular, the best photocatalytic performance of the MoO_3?x/ZnO NR composite can be additionally attributed to a quasi‐metallic conductivity and substoichiometry‐induced mid‐gap states, which extend the light absorption range. A tentative photocatalytic degradation mechanism was proposed. The strategy presented in this work not only demonstrates that coupling with nanoscale molybdenum oxide nanoflakes is a promising approach to significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZnO but also hints at new type of composite catalyst with extended applications in energy conversion and environmental purification.     

Template‐Free Preparation of Volvox‐like CdxZn1−xS Nanospheres with Cubic Phase for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Volvox‐like Cd_xZn_1?xS solid solutions with a cubic zinc blend structure were synthesized through a template‐free ethylene glycol process. Cd(Ac)₂ ? 2 H₂O, Zn(Ac)₂ ? 2 H₂O, and thiourea are used as the starting materials and dissolved in ethylene glycol. These reaction precursors and solvent not only contributed to control over the formation of the volvox‐like spherical geometry, but also exerted vigorous domination for existence of cubic‐phase Cd_xZn_1?xS nanostructures. As‐prepared volvox‐like Cd_xZn_1?xS nanospheres have a diameter of around 100 nm with extensional shells. These samples show excellent photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity from water splitting under visible‐light irradiation without any cocatalyst or scaffolding, owing to their tunable band gap, cubic zinc blend structure, and unique hierarchical porous structure with a high surface area (as high as 95.2 m² g^?1).     

Highly Efficient Low‐Temperature Plasma‐Assisted Modification of TiO2 Nanosheets with Exposed {001} Facets for Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity

Anatase TiO₂ nanosheets with exposed {001} facets have been controllably modified under non‐thermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma with various working gas, including Ar, H₂, and NH₃. The obtained TiO₂ nanosheets possess a unique crystalline core/amorphous shell structure (TiO₂@TiO_2?x), which exhibit the improved visible and near‐infrared light absorption. The types of dopants (oxygen vacancy/surface Ti³⁺/substituted N) in oxygen‐deficient TiO₂ can be tuned by controlling the working gases during plasma discharge. Both surface Ti³⁺ and substituted N were doped into the lattice of TiO₂ through NH₃ plasma discharge, whereas the oxygen vacancy or Ti³⁺ (along with the oxygen vacancy) was obtained after Ar or H₂ plasma treatment. The TiO₂@TiO_2?x from NH₃ plasma with a green color shows the highest photocatalytic activity under visible‐light irradiation compared with the products from Ar plasma or H₂ plasma due to the synergistic effect of reduction and simultaneous nitridation in the NH₃ plasma.     

Dual‐Doped Molybdenum Trioxide Nanowires: A Bifunctional Anode for Fiber‐Shaped Asymmetric Supercapacitors and Microbial Fuel Cells

A novel in situ N and low‐valence‐state Mo dual doping strategy was employed to significantly improve the conductivity, active‐site accessibility, and electrochemical stability of MoO₃, drastically boosting its electrochemical properties. Consequently, our optimized N‐MoO_3?x nanowires exhibited exceptional performances as a bifunctional anode material for both fiber‐shaped asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) and microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The flexible fiber‐shaped ASC and MFC device based on the N‐MoO_3?x anode could deliver an unprecedentedly high energy density of 2.29 mWh cm^?3 and a remarkable power density of 0.76 μW cm^?1, respectively. Such a bifunctional fiber‐shaped N‐MoO_3?x electrode opens the way to integrate the electricity generation and storage for self‐powered sources.     

Micelle‐Directing Synthesis of Ag‐Doped WO3 and MoO3 Composites for Photocatalytic Water Oxidation and Organic‐Dye Adsorption

In this paper, an Ag‐doped WO₃ (and MoO₃) composite has been prepared by following a simple micelle‐directed method and high‐temperature sintering route. The as‐prepared samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The photocatalytic experiments reveal that their oxygen‐production rates are up to 95.43 μmol (75.45 μmol) for Ag‐doped WO₃ (MoO₃), which is 9.5 (7.3) times higher than that of pure WO₃: 9.012 μmol (MoO₃: 9.00 μmol) under visible‐light illumination (λ ≥420 nm), respectively. The improvement of their photocatalytic activity is attributed to the enhancement of their visible‐light absorption and the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers by Ag doping. Moreover, Ag‐doped WO₃ (MoO₃) also shows excellent adsorption of rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution, with maximum adsorption capacities towards RhB and MB of 822 and 820 mg g⁻¹ for Ag‐doped WO₃, and 642 and 805 mg g⁻¹ for Ag‐doped MoO₃, respectively.     

A novel dinuclear MoVI complex with tris(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methane

Recrystallization of [MoO₂Cl{HC(3,5‐Me₂pz)₃}]Cl [where HC(3,5‐Me₂pz)₃ is tris(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methane] led to the isolation of large quantities of the dinuclear complex dichlorido‐2κ²Cl‐μ‐oxido‐κ²O:O‐tetraoxido‐1κ²O,2κ²O‐[tris(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl‐1κN²)methane]dimolybdenum(IV) acetonitrile monosolvate, [Mo₂Cl₂O₄(C₁₆H₂₂N₆)]·CH₃CN or [{MoO₂Cl₂}(μ₂‐O){MoO₂[HC(3,5‐Me₂pz)₃]}]·CH₃CN. At 150 K, this complex cocrystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcm with an acetonitrile molecule. The complex has mirror symmetry: only half of the complex constitutes the asymmetric unit and all the heavy elements (namely Mo and Cl) are located on the mirror plane. The acetonitrile molecule also lies on a mirror plane. The two crystallographically independent Mo⁶⁺ centres have drastically different coordination environments: while one Mo atom is hexacoordinated and chelated to HC(3,5‐Me₂pz)₃ (which occupies one face of the octahedron), the other Mo atom is instead pentacoordinated, having two chloride anions in the apical positions of the distorted trigonal bipyramid. This latter coordination mode of Mo^VI was found to be unprecedented. Individual complexes and solvent molecules are close‐packed in the solid state, mediated by various supramolecular contacts.     

Room‐temperature Synthesis of Amorphous Molybdenum Oxide Nanodots with Tunable Localized Surface Plasmon Resonances

Two‐dimensional (2D) semiconductors have recently emerged as a remarkable class of plasmonic alternative to conventional noble metals. However, tuning of their plasmonic resonances towards different wavelengths in the visible‐light region with physical or chemical methods still remains challenging. In this work, we design a simple room‐temperature chemical reaction route to synthesize amorphous molybdenum oxide (MoO_3−x ) nanodots that exhibit strong localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) in the visible and near‐infrared region. Moreover, tunable plasmon resonances can be achieved in a wide range with the changing surrounding solvent, and accordingly the photoelectrocatalytic activity can be optimized with the varying LSPR peaks. This work boosts the light–matter interaction at the nanoscale and could enable photodetectors, sensors, and photovoltaic devices in the future.