Synthesis of Se-doped InOOH as efficient visible-light-active photocatalysts

One-step solvothermal synthesis is proposed for the preparation of nanocrystalline InOOH doped with Se2+ ions. The structural properties of these products are investigated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy, UV–vis diffusive reflectance spectroscopy, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). Doping of Se2+ ions makes the absorption edge of the InOOH shift into the visible region. Effective photodegradation of the methylene blue aqueous solution is achieved under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm), revealing its potential applicability in air and water purifications.

Graphical AbstractA new Se-doped InOOH photocatalyst was synthesized by a solvothermal route. The results of photodecomposition toward methylene blue under the visible-light irradiation confirms that the photocatalytic activity of Se-doped InOOH has achieved 100% in the experimental conditions, which is greatly higher compared with that of InOOH. This shows that the doped-Se has obvious effects on the improvement of InOOH photocatalytic activity.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► InOOH is a wide band gap semiconductor and cannot respond to visible light.
► A series of Se-doped InOOH photocatalysts were prepared through a simple method.
► The photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized doped samples is higher than that of InOOH nanoparticles.