In2O3 nanocubes/carbon nanofibers heterostructures with high visible light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

One-dimensional In₂O₃ nanocubes/carbon nanofibers (CNFs) heterostructures have been successfully obtained by a simple combination of electrospinning technique and solvothermal process for the first time. The as-obtained products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and IR spectra. The results revealed that the secondary In₂O₃ nanocubes were successfully grown on the primary CNF substrates. Photocatalytic tests displayed that the In₂O₃/CNFs heterostructures possessed a much higher degradation rate of rhodamine B (RB) than the pure In₂O₃ under visible light. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the formation of heterostructures, which might improve the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. Moreover, the In₂O₃/CNF heterostructures could be easily recycled without the decrease of the photocatalytic activity due to their one-dimensional nanostructural property. The morphology of the secondary In₂O₃ nanostructures (nanocubes, nanoagglomerates or nanoparticles) could be controlled by adjusting the additives including CO(NH₂)₂ and a defined amount of water. The general growth mechanisms for the In₂O₃ nanostructures have also been discussed.