Abstract
ZnO/Bi2O3 nanofibers were synthesized by a simple electrospinning method and both the UV and visible light responsive photocatalytic properties were studied by the decolorization of RhB dye. Thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA‐DTA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and UV‐vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) were employed to study the structure, morphology, and optical properties of the ZnO/Bi2O3 nanofibers, respectively. The relationship between the ZnO/Bi2O3 ratio and photocatalytic activity was also studied, and the composite with a molar ratio of 23 : 1 demonstrated the best activity under both excitations. The photocatalytic mechanisms for the composite fibers can be described as the direct photocatalysis under UV excitation and photosensitation for visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activities can be ascribed to the effective electron‐hole pairs separation that leads to the promoted photocatalytic efficiency.
Highlights
Owing to the discharged toxic organic pollutants and coloured wastewater, the water bodies in nature are seriously damaged, which is harmful to human health and the environment [1, 2]
Photodecolorization measurements of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye confirmed that the composite nanofibers showed greatly improved activity under both UV and visible light irradiations
The thermal decomposition process of the precursors was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA) using a TA SDT 2960 instrument
Summary
Owing to the discharged toxic organic pollutants and coloured wastewater, the water bodies in nature are seriously damaged, which is harmful to human health and the environment [1, 2]. Many researchers have concentrated on semiconductor photocatalysts due to their adjustable band gaps for excitation and efficient photocatalytic activities on the decomposition of organic dyes. A prospective way that combining two kinds of semiconductor photocatalysts has been widely used to enlarge the light absorption and reduce the recombining of electrons and holes. ZnO is an important semiconductor material with a band gap of 3.37 eV at room temperature and its photocatalytic activity has been widely explored and reported [13, 14]. Bismuth oxide (β-Bi2O3) is a kind of semiconductor with a band gap of 2.47 eV, which is active under visible light irradiation [15]. Photodecolorization measurements of RhB dye confirmed that the composite nanofibers showed greatly improved activity under both UV and visible light irradiations.
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