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Title: 3C-SiC nanocrystals/TiO{sub 2} nanotube heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4882164· OSTI ID:22300046

p-type ultrathin 3C-SiC nanocrystals are coated on heat-treated n-type TiO{sub 2} nanotube arrays formed by electrochemical etching of Ti sheets to produce heterostructured photocatalysts. Depending on the amounts of 3C-SiC nanocrystals on the TiO{sub 2} nanotubes, photocatalytic degradation of organic species can be enhanced. The intrinsic electric field induced by the heterojunction promotes separation of the photoexcited electrons-holes in both the TiO{sub 2} nanotubes and 3C-SiC nanocrystals. Hence, holes can more effectively travel to the surface of 3C-SiC nanocrystals and there are more electrons on the surface of TiO{sub 2} nanotubes consequently forming more {sup •}O{sub 2}{sup −} and {sup •}OH species to degrade organic molecules.

OSTI ID:
22300046
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 23; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English