Rapid Dye Removal using MoO₃-Incorporated V₂O₅ Nanocomposites: Laboratory Experiments and Real-World Applications

In this study, MoO₃/V₂O₅ nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized using a simple, cost-effective wet-chemical method with varying Mo to V precursor weight ratios. The materials were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), zeta potential, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) & Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) methods to examine crystal structure, morphology and surface properties. XRD confirmed MoO₃ incorporation into the V₂O₅ crystal structure, while FESEM revealed belt-like MoO₃ structures embedded within web-cage V₂O₅ nanostructures. The optimal composition of 50 wt% MoO₃/V₂O₅ NCs exhibited superior adsorption efficiency, achieving 99% removal of 20 mg/L methylene blue (MB) in just 8 minutes. With increase in MB concentration from 20 to 500 mg/L, the adsorption efficiency enhanced from 39.9 mg/g to 737.6 mg/g. The NCs with specific surface of 10.4 m²/g and pore dimension of 3.61 nm, provided active sites for rapid dye adsorption. Kinetic and isotherm studies revealed a chemisorption-driven, single-layer adsorption process. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed presence of MB dye functional groups after dye adsorption. Additionally, the NCs demonstrated excellent recyclability, retaining efficiency even after five cycles. Their effectiveness in real-world industrial wastewater treatment validates their potential for practical applications in pollutant removal.