Solar light driven photocurrent generation and catalytic disintegration of toxic compounds and ions using Au@Sn, F-doped In2O3 core–shell nanostructure

Abstract

Au@tin and fluorine-doped In₂O₃ core–shell nanoparticles with different shell thicknesses have been prepared by a simple, cost-effective, and versatile hydrothermal process. The successful formation of the nanocomposites was confirmed by using UV-vis absorption spectra, TEM, XRD, and XPS analysis. The nanoparticles exhibited a highly versatile and repeatable behavior for the decomposition of different toxic organic dyes. The optical, catalytic, and photoelectrochemical properties of tin and fluorine-doped In₂O₃ were greatly improved by the surface plasmon of Au nanoparticles. The Au@tin and fluorine-doped In₂O₃ core–shell nanoparticles with low shell thickness, demonstrated 2 times higher photocatalytic activity to decompose poisonous organic dye and around 2.5 times higher catalytic decomposition of toxic Cr(VI) ions present in the aqueous medium. The scavengers and pH of the aqueous solution significantly influenced the catalytic activity of the core–shell nanocomposite. The enhanced catalytic activity of the core–shell nanoparticles was due to the successful use of surface plasmon-generated hot electrons and their effective separation at the metal-semiconductor interface. The photocurrent density of the core–shell nanoparticles was observed to be around 13-fold higher than that of tin and fluorine-doped In₂O₃ nanoparticles.