Open AccessPhotocatalytic activity enhanced by 1D TiO 2 nanobelts and 2D BiVO 4 nanosheets heterostructures
Author(s) -
Gao Liguo,
Du Jingwen,
Ma Tingli
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
micro and nano letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.25
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1750-0443
DOI - 10.1049/mnl.2016.0773
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , materials science , rhodamine b , nanosheet , bismuth vanadate , heterojunction , transmission electron microscopy , scanning electron microscope , chemical engineering , photoluminescence , visible spectrum , nanotechnology , band gap , titanium dioxide , optoelectronics , catalysis , composite material , chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
Heterostructures that are formed by incorporating one‐dimensional (1D) titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanobelts into 2D bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4 ) nanosheets are fabricated via an electrostatic self‐assembly process. The key features are investigated by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, zeta potential, ultraviolet–visible (vis) diffuse reflection spectra and photoluminescence spectra. As vis‐light sensitiser and catalyst support, 2D BiVO 4 nanosheets can improve the vis‐light photocatalytic activity of 1D TiO 2 nanobelts. Results show that 1D TiO 2 nanobelt–2D BiVO 4 nanosheet composites exhibit more efficient decomposition rate of rhodamine B compared with pure TiO 2 nanobelts. The photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 –5% BiVO 4 composites is nearly 1.7 times higher than that of pure TiO 2 nanobelts. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the bandgap match and the formation of heterostructures between TiO 2 nanobelts and BiVO 4 nanosheets. The heterostructures extend the light responsive range and promote efficient separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs.