Controllable preparation of BiFeO3@carbon core/shell nanofibers with enhanced visible photocatalytic activity

Abstract BiFeO 3 @carbon core/shell nanofibers (BFO@C NFs) with different thickness of carbon layers were successfully prepared by combining the electrospining technique and hydrothermal process. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to characterize the products. The results demonstrated that a uniform carbon layer was coated on the surface of BFO NFs. It was proposed that the introduction of carbon should not only enhance the light absorption of BFO NFs and the adsorption capacity for methyl orange, but also facilitate the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, both of which result in the enhanced photocatalytic activity of BFO NFs. In addition, BFO@C NFs are stable under visible light irradiation and could be easily recycled, indicating that they can be used as effective photocatalysts under visible light.