b-Ga 2 O 3 nanobelts have been synthesized by a vapor transport process under different ambient oxygen. Their structural and optical properties were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence (PL), and absorbance measurements. Structural characterization revealed that the as-synthesized samples consist of monoclinic b-Ga 2 O 3 nanobelts with comparable surface area. Samples prepared under high oxygen ambient possessed large numbers of gallium-associated defects confirmed by PL and absorbance measurements. The photocatalytic activity of b-Ga 2 O 3 nanobelts was evaluated by the degradation of organic dyes (rhodamine B and methyl blue) under ultraviolet light illumination. The results demonstrated that b-Ga 2 O 3 nanobelts exhibited superior photocatalytic activity and stability as compared with commercial b-Ga 2 O 3 powder. The photocatalytic activity of b-Ga 2 O 3 nanobelts was greatly enhanced and attributed to the large numbers of acceptor states associated with gallium defects. The origin of enhanced photocatalytic activity of b-Ga 2 O 3 nanobelts was discussed.
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