An ecologically safe and efficient in terms of energy method of heterostructure photocatalysis based on
metal oxide/TiO₂ and the quantity of response sites triggered by sunlight to remediate organic dye
pollution have garnered a lot of interest from the research community. Two-step microwave-assisted
approach has been initiated to synthesize the inexpensive, environmentally benign TiO₂ nanoparticles
that adorned the MoO₃ nanocomposite. Aim of present work is to explore the photocatalytic
characteristics of MoO₃@TiO₂ (MT), as well as its structural, optical, and compositional characteristics
along with its bactericidal potency. By using an X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument, the crystal
structures of MT have been confirmed. PL analysis indicates MT has the lowest rate of recombination of charge carriers, implying, the charge providers have a higher lifespan and may produce more active •OH
radicals during the photocatalytic process. Further, it is clear from the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
study that O²⁻ and OH⁻ are the main active species that degrade Methyl Orange (MO) dyes and play a major
role in this process. MT photocatalysts were used to degrade MO dye, and the photocatalytic activity
was recorded under exposure to sunlight. The MT photocatalyst shows improved degrading efficacy
may be due to fast transit, strong photo-absorption, and excellent separation of the charge carriers.
Additionally, the MT photocatalyst retained strong stability, low self-degradation, and great reusability
after repeated cycles of the degradation process. Additionally, the improved antibacterial activities for
the prepared nanocomposite were seen against gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive
(Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria analyzed by using the Disc diffusion method.
Keywords: MoO₃; TiO₂; Z-Scheme; Antibacterial Activity; Disc Diffusion Method;