In situ growth of WO3−x nanowires on g-C3N4 nanosheets: 1D/2D heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic activity. Issue 43 (17th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lou, Zaizhu; Xue, Can
• Is Part Of: CrystEngComm. Volume 18:Issue 43(2016)
• Page Start: 8406
• Page End: 8410
• Publication Date: 2016-10-17
• Subjects: Crystals -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Crystallography -- Periodicals; Cristaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Cristallographie -- Périodiques; 548
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ce01557c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-8033

Abstract

Abstract : The WO3− x /g-C3 N4 heterostructure allows the electrons to transfer from excited g-C3 N4 nanosheets to WO3− x nanowires and efficiently transport along the nanowires, which improves the charge separation and consequently enhances the photocatalytic activity. Abstract : We have constructed a new type of 1D/2D heterostructure by growing WO3− x nanowires on the surface of g-C3 N4 nanosheets through a simple solvothermal method. The created WO3− x /g-C3 N4 heterojunction allows for effective electron transfer from excited g-C3 N4 nanosheets to WO3− x nanowires, which leads to enhanced photocatalytic activities for methyl orange (MO) degradation. Further studies by using different active species as capture agents reveal that superoxide radicals are mainly responsible for MO degradation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity over the WO3− x /g-C3 N4 heterojunction is attributed to the abundant oxygen vacancies on the WO3− x nanowire surface, which results in a considerable amount of free electrons on WO3− x nanowires with promoted conductivity. As such, the injected photo-electrons from g-C3 N4 can freely transport along the WO3− x nanowires to promote charge separation on g-C3 N4 . Further, the large nanowire surface with strong capability for O2 adsorption would provide the injected electrons with a high chance to reduce the surface adsorbed oxygen molecules and generate superoxide radicals for MO degradation.