A novel SnO 2 QDs (quantum dots)/PDI heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully constructed by a simple in-situ compounded method and exhibited highly enhanced photocatalytic performance and long-term stability under visible light irradiation. The results of ISI-XPS and AFM-KPFM revealed that the effective photo-generated electrons transferred from PDI supramolecular nanorods to closely attached to SnO 2 QDs, which was driven by a giant built-in electric field across this hetero-interface, thus highly improved the migration and separation of photo-generated carriers. Importantly, we have proved for the first time that the formation of heterojunction can effectively hinder the generation of PDI anion radicals (PDI *À ), thereby realized improved photocatalytic stability of PDI supramolecular aggregates by reducing the dissociation of PDI supramolecular caused by electrostatic repulsion interaction between PDI *À units. Furthermore, the established high structure and morphology stability also supported its excellent photocatalytic stability.
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