Electrospun Cr-doped Bi4Ti3O12/Bi2Ti2O7 heterostructure fibers with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties†
Abstract
A series of Cr-doped Bi4Ti3O12/Bi2Ti2O7 (BTO) heterostructure fibers have been synthesized via a one-step, facile and economical electrospinning/calcination process. SEM and TEM results reveal that the diameters of the as-prepared fibers are 100 ± 30 nm. The light adsorption of Bi4Ti3O12 and Bi2Ti2O7 in the fibers has been remarkably improved by Cr doping. With increased Cr doping, XRD and XPS show that the amount of Bi2Ti2O7 increases in the fibers. As a result, the Bi4Ti3O12/Bi2Ti2O7 heterojunction structure is enhanced, which further promotes the charge separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Photocatalytic tests indicated that the as-prepared Cr-doped Bi4Ti3O12/Bi2Ti2O7 fibers exhibit good photocatalytic activity for photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible-light irradiation.