Broadband NaYF₄:Yb,Tm@NaYF₄:Yb,Nd@TiO₂ Nanoparticles Anchored on SiO₂/Carbon Electrospun Fibers for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants

Abstract

Semiconductor photocatalysis is a promising strategy for wastewater treatment. However, a limited photoresponse range, rapid recombination of photoinduced charge carriers, poor stability, and other problems have posed obstacles to practical applications. Herein, a facile strategy to fabricate a nearinfrared-driven broadband photocatalyst was developed by anchoring the core−shell nanostructure of NaYF 4 :Yb,Tm@ NaYF 4 :Yb,Nd@TiO 2 (Tm@Nd@TiO 2 ) onto the surface of porous silica/carbon (mSC) electrospun fibers. The Tm@Nd@ TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited strong near-infrared light absorption and energy transfer from the NaYF 4 :Yb,Tm@ NaYF 4 :Yb,Nd core to the TiO 2 shell, triggering the photocatalytic reaction. In addition, the interconnected mesoporous structure and carbon network of Tm@Nd@TiO 2 /mSC was found to be beneficial in improving the adsorption capacity toward organic pollutants, promoting the separation of photogenerated carriers, and further improving the overall photocatalytic performance. The photocatalytic activity of Tm@Nd@TiO 2 /mSC nanocomposite was evaluated by degrading methyl orange solution in the visiblenear-infrared and simulated sunlight regions. The Tm@Nd@TiO 2 /mSC nanocomposite exhibited excellent adsorption performance. The photocatalytic activity of Tm@Nd@TiO 2 /mSC was found to be 3 times higher than that of bare Tm@Nd@ TiO 2 over 60 min.

Silica Coated Upconversion Nanoplatform for Ag-Based Chemo-/Photodynamic Therapy against Drug-Resistant Bacteria

“…The core− shell NaYF 4 :Yb,Er@NaYF 4 :Yb,Nd (UCNP) nanoparticles were prepared via a modified solvothermal method according to our previous reported protocol. 28 First, 2 mmol of RE(Cl) 3 •6H 2 O (RE = 78% Y + 20% Yb + 2% Er), 12 mL of OA, and 30 mL of 1-ODE were added into a 100 mL three-neck flask. The mixture was heated to 160 °C for 30 min under a N 2 atmosphere to form a homogeneous solution and then cooled to room temperature.…”

“…The core–shell NaYF 4 :Yb,Er@NaYF 4 :Yb,Nd (UCNP) nanoparticles were prepared via a modified solvothermal method according to our previous reported protocol . First, 2 mmol of RE­(Cl) 3 ·6H 2 O (RE = 78% Y + 20% Yb + 2% Er), 12 mL of OA, and 30 mL of 1-ODE were added into a 100 mL three-neck flask.…”

Tetracycline Removal through the Synergy of Catalysis and Photocatalysis by Novel NaYF4:Yb,Tm@TiO2-Acetylacetone Hybrid Core-Shell Structures

“…Alternatively, the maximization of sunlight harvesting is shown to be possible through the creation of composites, hybrid, or core-shell structures, thanks to the synergy of functional diversities that come from comprising compounds [5][6][7]. In the past decade, several up-converting materials were explored as core in TiO 2 -based core-shell structures, due to their unique capability of converting NIR into UV-Vis light [8][9][10]. The Yb,Tm doped β-NaYF 4 phase is shown to be the most appropriate choice for that, since Tm 3+ ions UV emission matches well with the absorption band of TiO 2 [11].…”

Electrospun dual-aeolotropic conductive exceptive Janus membrane and Janus tubule functionalized by up-/down-converting fluorescence and magnetism

“…19,20 Lanthanide-doped organic-inorganic luminescent materials with up-and down-converting fluorescence properties play a pivotal role in the field of fluorescent probes, temperature/gas sensors, colour tuners, and optical brakes. [21][22][23][24] As is well known, Tb 3+ ions can cause high-efficiency green fluorescence as an activating agent. 25 NaYF 4 , existing in the a (cubic) and b (hexagonal) phases, has become an admirable host for highly efficient up-converting luminescence (UL) owing to its low phonon energy and high chemical stability.…”