Enhanced magnetic and photocatalytic properties of BiFeO3 nanotubes with ultrathin wall thickness. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yan'an; Zhang, Xiaojiao; Chen, Long; Sun, Haibin; Zhang, Hua; Si, Weimeng; Wang, Weiwei; Wang, Lu; Li, Jiao
• Is Part Of: Vacuum. Volume 184(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: BiFeO3 nanotubes -- AAO template -- Point defects -- Multiferroic property -- Photocatalytic performance; Vacuum -- Periodicals; 621.55
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2020.109867
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-207X

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, hollow BiFeO3 nanotubes with ultrathin wall thickness were successfully synthesized via a template approach by using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as the template. The structure, morphology, magnetic properties and photocatalytic activity of the hollow BiFeO3 nanotubes were characterized in detail. The results showed that the as-prepared BiFeO3 nanotubes exhibited hollow tubular structure with external diameter of ~50 nm and wall thickness of 5 nm, respectively. In addition, enhanced magnetic properties with saturation magnetization ( Ms ) value of 1.74 emu·g −1, low photoluminescence (PL) intensity and large surface-to-volume ratio were observed. Compared to the BiFeO3 nanofibres and BiFeO3 nanoparticles, the BiFeO3 nanotubes exhibited the best photocatalytic activity and stability to the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. According to the analysis of the photocatalytic mechanism, the enhanced photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the unique one-dimensional hollow nanotubular structure with ultrathin wall thickness and enhanced magnetic properties. Graphical abstract: Hollow BiFeO3 nanotubes with the external diameter and the wall thickness of about 50 nm and 5 nm were firstly successfully synthesized via a template approach. The prepared BiFeO3 nanotubes exhibited the enhanced magnetic and photocatalytic properties. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be ascribed to the unique one-dimensional hollow nanotubular structure with ultrathin wall thickness and the enhanced magnetic property. Image 1 Highlights: Novel hollow BiFeO3 nanotubes were successfully synthesized via a template approach. The BiFeO3 sample with the hollow nanotubular structure was firstly synthesized. Novel hollow BiFeO3 nanotubes exhibited the excellent photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic mechanism for different BiFeO3 samples is discussed in detail.