Controlling the oxidation state of molybdenum oxide nanoparticles prepared by ionic liquid/metal sputtering to enhance plasmon-induced charge separation

Nanoparticles composed of molybdenum oxide, MoOx, were successfully prepared by room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL)/metal sputtering followed by heat treatment. Hydroxyl groups in RTIL molecules retarded the coalescence between MoOx NPs during heat treatment at 473 K in air, while the oxidation state of Mo species in MoOx nanoparticles (NPs) could be modified by changing the heat treatment time. An LSPR peak was observed at 840 nm in the near-IR region for MoOx NPs of 55 nm or larger in size that were annealed in a hydroxyl-functionalized RTIL. Photoexcitation of the LSPR peak of MoOx NPs induced electron transfer from NPs to ITO electrodes.