Methylene Blue as a Sensitizing Dye: Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Performance of a Peroxide-Functionalized Iron Molybdate by the Antenna Effect

The use of dyes as sensitizing agents to increase semiconductor activity is a strategy already adopted in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis, but the compounds applied are noble metal-based and sometimes difficult to synthesize, which make it more expensive. In this work, it was discovered th...

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Main Authors: José Balena G. Filho, Clóvis G. Vieira, Daniel B. de Jesus, Henrique F. V. Victória, Edmar A. Soares, Klaus Krambrock, Márcio César Pereira, Luiz Carlos A. Oliveira
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Colorants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6447/4/2/14
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author José Balena G. Filho
Clóvis G. Vieira
Daniel B. de Jesus
Henrique F. V. Victória
Edmar A. Soares
Klaus Krambrock
Márcio César Pereira
Luiz Carlos A. Oliveira
author_facet José Balena G. Filho
Clóvis G. Vieira
Daniel B. de Jesus
Henrique F. V. Victória
Edmar A. Soares
Klaus Krambrock
Márcio César Pereira
Luiz Carlos A. Oliveira
author_sort José Balena G. Filho
collection DOAJ
description The use of dyes as sensitizing agents to increase semiconductor activity is a strategy already adopted in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis, but the compounds applied are noble metal-based and sometimes difficult to synthesize, which make it more expensive. In this work, it was discovered that methylene blue can perform such an effect on an iron molybdate functionalized with peroxo groups on the surface. This material, called MoOxoFe, was tested together with its analogue MoFe (produced without H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> in the synthesis) in the degradation of methylene blue. The rapid degradation of the dye led to the hypothesis of sensitization, which was investigated and proven by additional photocatalytic tests with sensitized material, MoOxoFe-MB, and spectroscopies, such as EPR and XPS.
format Article
id doaj-art-e98d1a961aa64462a117957cacda10f7
institution Kabale University
issn 2079-6447
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Colorants
spelling doaj-art-e98d1a961aa64462a117957cacda10f72025-08-20T03:27:15ZengMDPI AGColorants2079-64472025-04-01421410.3390/colorants4020014Methylene Blue as a Sensitizing Dye: Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Performance of a Peroxide-Functionalized Iron Molybdate by the Antenna EffectJosé Balena G. Filho0Clóvis G. Vieira1Daniel B. de Jesus2Henrique F. V. Victória3Edmar A. Soares4Klaus Krambrock5Márcio César Pereira6Luiz Carlos A. Oliveira7Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, BrazilDepartment of Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, BrazilDepartment of Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, BrazilDepartment of Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, BrazilDepartment of Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, BrazilDepartment of Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, BrazilInstitute of Science, Engineering and Technology, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri (UFVJM), Teófilo Otoni 39803-371, MG, BrazilDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, BrazilThe use of dyes as sensitizing agents to increase semiconductor activity is a strategy already adopted in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis, but the compounds applied are noble metal-based and sometimes difficult to synthesize, which make it more expensive. In this work, it was discovered that methylene blue can perform such an effect on an iron molybdate functionalized with peroxo groups on the surface. This material, called MoOxoFe, was tested together with its analogue MoFe (produced without H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> in the synthesis) in the degradation of methylene blue. The rapid degradation of the dye led to the hypothesis of sensitization, which was investigated and proven by additional photocatalytic tests with sensitized material, MoOxoFe-MB, and spectroscopies, such as EPR and XPS.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6447/4/2/14methylene blue dyeheterogeneous photocatalysisiron molybdatedye sensitizationsurface interactions
spellingShingle José Balena G. Filho
Clóvis G. Vieira
Daniel B. de Jesus
Henrique F. V. Victória
Edmar A. Soares
Klaus Krambrock
Márcio César Pereira
Luiz Carlos A. Oliveira
Methylene Blue as a Sensitizing Dye: Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Performance of a Peroxide-Functionalized Iron Molybdate by the Antenna Effect
Colorants
methylene blue dye
heterogeneous photocatalysis
iron molybdate
dye sensitization
surface interactions
title Methylene Blue as a Sensitizing Dye: Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Performance of a Peroxide-Functionalized Iron Molybdate by the Antenna Effect
title_full Methylene Blue as a Sensitizing Dye: Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Performance of a Peroxide-Functionalized Iron Molybdate by the Antenna Effect
title_fullStr Methylene Blue as a Sensitizing Dye: Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Performance of a Peroxide-Functionalized Iron Molybdate by the Antenna Effect
title_full_unstemmed Methylene Blue as a Sensitizing Dye: Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Performance of a Peroxide-Functionalized Iron Molybdate by the Antenna Effect
title_short Methylene Blue as a Sensitizing Dye: Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Performance of a Peroxide-Functionalized Iron Molybdate by the Antenna Effect
title_sort methylene blue as a sensitizing dye enhancement of the photocatalytic performance of a peroxide functionalized iron molybdate by the antenna effect
topic methylene blue dye
heterogeneous photocatalysis
iron molybdate
dye sensitization
surface interactions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6447/4/2/14
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