Electrodeposition and characterization of Mo oxide nanostructures

Template electrodeposition has been used to grow uniform arrays of molybdenum oxide nanostructures in polycarbonate membrane. Several parameters have been investigated, like electrodeposition, time and solution pH. These parameters do not influence the nature of the deposit that always consists of mixed valence molybdenum oxides, whereas the nanostructure morphology changes with pH. In particular, at low pH (2.7), nanotubes are formed, whilst arrays of nanowires are obtained above pH 5.5. This change of morphology is likely due to H2 bubbles evolution during the electrochemical deposition, particularly occurring at low pH. It was found that fast removal of H2 bubbles through vigorous stirri…