Rational Design of ZnFe₂O₄/In₂O₃ Nanoheterostructures: Efficient Photocatalyst for Gaseous 1,2-Dichlorobenzene Degradation and Mechanistic Insight

Abstract

Novel ZnFe2O4/In2O3 hybrid nanoheterostructures with enhanced visible-light catalytic performance were fabricated by assembling ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles on the surface of monodispersed In2O3 nanospheres, and their photocatalytic performances were evaluated via the degradation of gaseous 1,2-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB). The catalytic activity of the resulting heterostructures for degradation of o-DCB was higher than that of either pure In2O3 or ZnFe2O4. The enhanced activity was mainly ascribed to the enhanced visible-light harvesting ability, efficient spatial separation, and prolonged lifetimes of photogenerated charges. Meanwhile, the main reaction intermediates including o-benzoquinone type species, phenolate species, formates, acetates, and maleates were verified with in situ FTIR spectroscopy. Additionally, a tentative catalytic reaction mechanism and the generation pathway of •OH over the ZnFe2O4/In2O3 nanoheterostructures were postulated. The present work provides some significative information for the eradication of harmful chlorinated volatile organic compounds and is expected to benefit the development of In2O3-based hybrid heterostructures.