Electrospinning preparation, characterization and photocatalytic properties of Bi2O3 nanofibers

Bi2O3 nanofibers with diameter of 70–200 nm were successfully prepared by electrospinning a precursor mixture of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/bismuth nitrate, followed by calcination treatment of the electrospun polymer/inorganic composite fibers. The resulting Bi2O3 nanofibers were characterized with X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR spectra and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The Bi2O3 nanofibers calcined at 500 °C exhibited β phase, and whereas the nanofibers calcined at 550 and 600 °C both exhibited dominant β phase together with a trace amount of α phase. Photocatalytic experiments indicated that the obtained Bi2O3 nanofibers calcined at 500 °C were highly active for photodegradation of organic pollutants Rhodamine B (RB). Furthermore, the Bi2O3 nanofibers could be easily recycled without decrease of the photocatalytic activity.

Graphical abstractThe Bi2O3 nanofibers with diameters of 70–200 nm are fabricated by electrospinning. The Bi2O3 nanofibers calcined at 500 °C possess high photocatalytic properties and can be conveniently fixed and reclaimed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide