Exploring improvement of photocatalytic and catalytic performance in Nd-doped BiYO3 nanotube systems

A series of BiYO 3 and rare earth doped BiYO 3 nanotubes have been fabricated through a simple and economical electrospinning technique with subsequent calcination for the first time. The average diameter of the nanotube was approximately 200 nm. It is found that the Nd-doped BiYO 3 nanotubes exhibit an excellent multi-functionality of catalytic and visible-light-driven photocatalytic activities , thus the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol and degradation of Congo red can be rapidly achieved. The enhanced activity was attributed to the one-dimensional tube-like architecture, relatively appropriate band gap and Nd doping, which could be favorable for light harvesting, matter diffusion, and carrier transfer. This work may raise more detail research of BiYO 3 and also broaden its application in many fields.