C60 molecules with monomolecular layer state dispersed on the surface of ZnO and formed the hybridized interaction between ZnO and C60. C60-hybridized ZnO photocatalyst showed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of the organic dye and the photocorrosion of ZnO was successfully inhibited bythe hybridization of C60 molecules. The photocorrosion inhibition of ZnO by C60 molecule could be attributed to the reduced activation of surface oxygen atom. The enhanced photocatalytic activity for C60-hybridized ZnO was originated from the high migration efficiency of photoinduced electrons on the interface of C60 and ZnO, which was produced by the interaction of C60 and ZnO with a conjugative pi-system. The enhancement degree of photocatalytic activity was strongly depended on the coverage of C60 molecules on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles, and the optimum hybridization effect was found at a weight ratio of 1.5% (C60/ZnO). The hybridization of C60 with semiconductors could be used to improve the photocatalytic activity as well as the photostability.

Fullerene (C60)-modified Bi2WO6 photocatalyst is prepared by a simple absorbing process. The as-prepared samples show the high efficiency for the degradation of nonbiodegradable azodyes methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light (lamda >420 nm) and simulated solar light (lamda >290 nm). After being modified by C60, the photocatalytic activities of Bi2WO6 samples increase about 5.0 and 1.5 times for the degradation of MB and RhB under visible light irradiation, whereas 4.6 and 2.1 times under xenon lamp irradiation, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity for C60-modified Bi2WO6 comes from the high migration efficiency of photoinduced electrons on the interface of C60 and Bi2WO6 which is produced by the interaction of Bi2WO6 and C60 with the conjugative pi-system. The optimum synergetic effect is found at a weight ratio of 1.25 wt % (C60/Bi2WO6). The photocatalytic reaction process of C60-modified Bi2WO6 is mainly governed by direct holes and O2*- oxidation.