Preparation and Photocatalytic Properties of γ-Bi_2O_3/TiO_2 Composite Fibers

Heterostructured γ-Bi2O3/TiO2 composite fibers were prepared via combination of solvothermal method and electrospinning technique.X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscope(SEM),energy dispersive spectroscope(EDS),transmission electron microscope(TEM),high-resolution transmission electron microscope(HRTEM) and UV-Vis absorption spectra were used to characterize heterostructured γ-Bi2O3/TiO2 composite fibers.The photocatalytic properties of the heterostructured samples were evaluated by degrading rhodamine B(RB) under visible light irradiation.The results showed that γ-Bi2O3 nanosheets could evenly grow on the TiO2 fibers surface and thus heterostructured γ-Bi2O3/TiO2 composite fibers were successfully obtained.The absorption range of the as-obtained heterostructured samples were extended to the visible light region.Moreover,the presence of γ-Bi2O3 nanostructures/TiO2 fibers heterostructures was beneficial to separation of photo-generated electrons and holes which enhanced the system’s quantum efficiency.In comparison with that of pure TiO2nanofibers,the γ-Bi2O3/TiO2 heterostructures have enhanced photocatalytic efficiency under visible light irradiation,and the decolorizing efficiency of RB solution can reach 87.8%.