Template-free fabrication of CdMoO₄ hollow spheres and their morphology-dependent photocatalytic property

The controllable synthesis of CdMoO₄ hollow microspheres has been successfully realized in a large scale by a facile precipitation reaction between Cd(CH₃COO)₂ and Na₂MoO₄ in the absence of any templates or additives. The as-prepared hollow spheres consist of small nanoparticles with a size of ca 100 nm. By adjusting the reaction condition, hollow spheres with different morphologies and microstructures could be obtained. The growth mechanism was investigated on the basis of the results of time-dependent experiments. The band gap estimated from the main absorption edges of the UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum is 3.31 eV The photocatalytic activity experiment indicated that the CdMoO₄ hollow microspheres prepared at 40 °C exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity in the photocatalytic decolorization of Rhodamine-B aqueous solution under the UV light illumination than commercially available TiO₂. Notably, the photocatalytic property of CdMoO₄ samples is strongly dependent on their morphologies and microstructures. The present work might afford some guidance for the rationally controllable synthesis of other photocatalytic materials and the as-grown architectures show good application potential.