Remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity of laser ablated Au nanoparticle decorated BiFeO3 nanowires under visible-light

Abstract

Hybrid photocatalysts consisting of single crystalline BiFeO3 nanowires and laser ablated Au nanoparticles were synthesized by a functionalization-step-free solution process. The 1.0 wt% Au nanoparticle decorated BiFeO3 nanowires exhibit ~30 times higher photocatalytic activity for water oxidation than that exhibited by the parent wires during the first 4 h.

Heteroepitaxial approach to explore charge dynamics across Au/BiVO4 interface for photoactivity enhancement

“…In addition, a weak peak around 1.6 eV was observed, possibly due to the defects in the BVO film. Interestingly, the PL emission of BVO in Au/ BVO sample is drastically quenched, which is clearly observed in the Au NPs with various size decorated BVO thin film ( Figure S6b, ESI † ), The PL quenching effect suggests a reduction of electron-hole recombination process due to the photogenerated electrons transfer from conduction band of BVO to Au NPs [26]. These results provide more evidence and understanding on the charge separation of Au/ BVO heterostructures under light excitation.…”

Synthesis and characterization of g-C3N4/BiFeO3 composites with an enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

“…As we known, bismuth-based semiconductor oxides are regarded as a very important category among various visible-light responsive photocatalysts [4]. It is worthwhile noting that multiferroic BiFeO 3 materials with a band gap of $ 2.2 eV [5][6][7] are found to decompose organic pollutants [8,9] or split water into hydrogen [10] under visible light irradiation. However, there exist several disadvantages for BiFeO 3 materials used as photocatalysts.…”

Enhanced visible-light activities of porous BiFeO3 by coupling with nanocrystalline TiO2 and mechanism

“…To overcome these shortfalls and to improve the photocatalytic performance of BFO, elemental doping, fabricating with semi-conductor metal oxides and synthesis of porous perovskite oxides with larger surface area are highly desirable [8][9][10][11]. As we know that, catalysis belongs to the class of surface reaction and there should be a good contact between the catalyst's surface and the substrates [12].…”