Three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured materials have received enormous attention in energy and environment remediation applications. Herein, we developed a novel 3D flower-like gadolinium molybdate (Gd2MoO6; GdM) and used as a bifunctional catalyst for the electrochemical detection and photocatalytic degradation of organophosphate pesticide fenitrothion (FNT). The flower-like GdM catalyst was prepared via a simple sol-gel technique with the assistance of urea and ethylene glycol. The properties of GdM were confirmed by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The GdM catalyst played a significant role in electrochemical reduction of FNT and results in a very low detection limit (5 nM), wide linear ranges (0.02-123; 173-1823 μM), and good sensitivity (1.36 μA μM-1 cm-2). Interestingly, the GdM electrocatalyst had good recoveries to FNT in soil and water sample analysis. In addition to trace level detection, the flower-like GdM was used as the photocatalyst which portrayed an excellent photocatalytic degradation behavior to eliminate the FNT in the aqueous system. The GdM photocatalyst could degrade above 99% of FNT under UV light irradiation with good stability even after five cycles.
Keywords: Gd2MoO6; catalyst; electrocatalyst; fenitrothion; pesticides; photocatalyst; pollutant.