Ag/TiO{sub 2} nanofiber heterostructures: Highly enhanced photocatalysts under visible light
- National Key Laboratory of Shock Wave and Detonation Physics, Institute of Fluid Physics, CAEP, P. O. Box 919-111 Mianyang, Sichuan 621900 (China)
Photocatalysis of TiO{sub 2} has recently drawn considerable attention, while the photoefficiency of TiO{sub 2} is limited by its large band-gap energy and usually fast electron-hole recombination. Here, we present an unconventional heterostructure of Ag nanoparticles modified TiO{sub 2} nanofibers synthesized by one-step electrospinning process, to improve the photoefficiency of TiO{sub 2} host. The efficient promotion of the visible light photocatalysis of Ag/TiO{sub 2} nanofiber heterostructures can be ascribed to the electronic excitation of Ag nanoparticles under visible light and the transfer of the electrons to TiO{sub 2} conduction band, which deeply depends on the number of Ag/TiO{sub 2} junctions and the height of Schottky barrier. The Ag/Ti molar ratio can be easily controlled by the electrospinning process and the Ag/TiO{sub 2} nanofibers with Ag/Ti molar ratio of 0.05 exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity. Simultaneously, the Ag/TiO{sub 2} nanofiber heterostructures show excellent photocatalytic stability.
- OSTI ID:
- 22102380
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 17 Vol. 113; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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