Electrospun ZnFe2O4 nanotubes and nanobelts: Morphology evolution, formation mechanism and Fenton-like photocatalytic activities

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics Vol. 207; pp. 114 - 122
• Main Authors: Shi, Ruixia, Zhang, Yan, Wang, Xingtao, Ma, Qian, Zhang, Aiyu, Yang, Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Calcination; Fenton-like photocatalytic activities; Semiconductors; Semiconductors; Calcination; Fenton-like photocatalytic activities
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2017.12.037

Porous ZnFe2O4 nanotubes and nanobelts have been fabricated through an efficient and facile approach of electrospinning followed by two-step calcination in atmosphere. The influences of electrospinning parameters such as metallic salt content, PVP content, the ratio of ethanol to water, stirring time and applied voltage on the composite fibers have been fully investigated. When the calcination temperature was increased from 600 °C to 650 °C, the ZnFe2O4 nanotubes evolved into well-crystalline nanobelts due to the faster gas diffusion, more active grain growth and atomic diffusion rate caused by the relative high temperature. The plausible formation mechanism of ZnFe2O4 nanotubes and nanobelts was proposed and discussed in detail. The photocatalytic activities for the photo-degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) over ZnFe2O4 nanotubes and nanobelts were evaluated under the UV-light irradiation. The degradation efficiency of nanotubes and nanobelts both can reach 99.7% after 20 min UV irradiation in presence of H2O2 because of synergistic effects of Fe3+ and H2O2, respectively, indicating the excellent Fenton-like photocatalytic properties of ZnFe2O4 nanotubes and nanobelts. Additionally, the Fenton-like photocatalytic mechanism was also discussed. [Display omitted] •ZnFe2O4 nanotubes evolved into nanobelts at higher calcination temperature.•Gas pressure difference is responsible for the morphology evolution.•ZnFe2O4 nanotubes and nanobelts showed excellent photo-Fenton-like activities.