Solar light driven photocurrent generation and catalytic disintegration of toxic compounds and ions using Au@Sn, F doped In2O3 core-shell nanostructure

The Au@tin and fluorine doped In2O3 core-shell nanoparticle with different shell thicknesses has been prepared by a simple, cost-effective, and versatile hydrothermal process. The successful formation of the nanocomposites was confirmed by using UV-Vis. absorption spectra, TEM, XRD and XPS analysis. The nanoparticle exhibits a highly versatile and repeatable for the decomposition of different toxic organic dyes. The optical, catalytic and photo electrochemical properties of tin and fluorine doped In2O3 are greatly improved by the surface plasmon of Au nanoparticle. The Au@tin and fluorine doped In2O3 core-shell nanoparticle with low shell thickness, demonstrate two times higher photocatalytic activity to decompose poisonous organic dye and around 2.5 times higher catalytic decomposition of toxic Cr(VI) ions present in the aqueous medium. It has been observed that the scavengers and pH of the aqueous solution significantly influence catalytic activity of core-shell nanocomposite. Enhanced catalytic activity of the core-shell nanoparticle was owing to the successful use of surface plasmon generated hot electrons and its effective separation at the metal‒semiconductor interface. The photocurrent density of core-shell nanoparticle was observed to be around 13-fold higher than that of tin and fluorine doped In2O3 nanoparticle.