Improved photocatalytic activity by utilizing the internal electric field of polar semiconductors: a case study of self-assembled NaNbO3 oriented nanostructures†
Abstract
How to promote separation of photo-generated carriers is one of the key issues determining the photocatalytic activity of a semiconductor. In this paper, we report a new strategy that utilizing an internal electric field of polar semiconductors to improve photocatalytic activity and, proving it by liquid-phase photodegradation (photocatalytic RhB degradation) as well as gas-phase photodegradation (photocatalytic oxidation of CH4) experiments upon the self-assembled NaNbO3 oriented nanocuboids that were fabricated by a facial hydrothermal route. The formation conditions and mechanisms of the ordered nanostructures were also discussed.