title: Anchoring of Ag6Si2O7 nanoparticles on α-Fe2O3 short nanotubes as a Z-scheme photocatalyst for improving their photocatalytic performances.
abstract: Coupling two different semiconductors to form composite photocatalysts is the most significant method for environmental remediation. In this regard, tube-like α-Fe2O3/Ag6Si2O7 heterostructures are synthesized via anchoring p-type Ag6Si2O7 nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of n-type α-Fe2O3 short nanotubes (SNTs) by conventional wet-chemical routes. α-Fe2O3 SNTs are firstly fabricated by a hydrothermal method with the assistance of dihydrogen phosphate and sulphate. Then, Ag6Si2O7 NPs are anchored on α-Fe2O3 SNTs by an in situ deposition method, and the α-Fe2O3/Ag6Si2O7 p-n heterostructures are finally obtained. The morphologies, crystal structure, photocatalytic performance and photocurrent properties of as-synthesized α-Fe2O3/Ag6Si2O7 heterostructures are investigated. Six organic dyes are used for determining the high-efficiency Z-scheme photocatalytic activities of the as-obtained photocatalysts under ultraviolet and visible light (mercury lamp, 300 W). Compared with pure α-Fe2O3 SNTs, the photocurrent intensity of the α-Fe2O3/Ag6Si2O7 heterostructures is improved 62 times. The enhanced significant photocatalytic performance of α-Fe2O3/Ag6Si2O7 heterostructures could be attributed to charge transfer between Ag6Si2O7 NPs and the charge separation between Ag6Si2O7 NPs and α-Fe2O3 SNTs. These composite heterostructures are proposed to be an example for the preparation of other composite silicate photocatalysts for practical application in environmental remediation issues.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China. xxh@whu.edu.cn czjiang@whu.edu.cn and Laboratory of Printable Functional Nanomaterials and Printed Electronics, School of Printing and Packaging, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China. weiwu@whu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Printable Functional Nanomaterials and Printed Electronics, School of Printing and Packaging, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China. weiwu@whu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China. xxh@whu.edu.cn czjiang@whu.edu.cn and Laboratory of Printable Functional Nanomaterials and Printed Electronics, School of Printing and Packaging, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China. weiwu@whu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Qingyong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Printable Functional Nanomaterials and Printed Electronics, School of Printing and Packaging, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China. weiwu@whu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Zhigao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Printable Functional Nanomaterials and Printed Electronics, School of Printing and Packaging, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China. weiwu@whu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Zhaohui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China. xxh@whu.edu.cn czjiang@whu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiangheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China. xxh@whu.edu.cn czjiang@whu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Changzhong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jiang