Core-shell structured TiO2@In2O3 for highly active visible-light photocatalysis

Abstract Core-shell structured TiO 2 @In 2 O 3 with high visible-light photocatalytic activity have been successfully fabricated by solvothermal method. The as-obtained products were characterized by field transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS). Structural characterizations demonstrated that the In 2 O 3 layers were comprised of nanocrystallites ca. 14 nm in size and displayed rough surfaces. The UV–vis DRS data showed that In 2 O 3 greatly expanded the visible light absorption band edge of TiO 2 . The results revealed that the obtained TiO 2 @In 2 O 3 with core-shell structure showed enhancement of the visible-light photocatalytic activity to degrade methyl orange (MO) comparing with the pure TiO 2 and In 2 O 3 products.