Rare-earth functioned Bi2WO6 nanofibers via electrospinning: Boosted catalytic performance and contact-free temperature monitoring on degradation process

Abstract Bi2WO6: Er, Yb nanofibers prepared via solvothermal-electrospinning method have high-efficiency photocatalysis performance and superior temperature feedback. Combining crystal integrity and polymer processability, polyacrylonitrile composite fibers are commendable in many aspects, such as large specific surface area, excellent flexibility, controllable structure and high solar energy utilization. The boost in photocatalysis activity can be attributable to non-radiative energy transfer between Er3+ ions with bismuth tungstate and doping effect of rare earth ions in Bi2WO6, where this doping enhances separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs and promotes generation of highly oxidative species. The electrospun nanofibers also can accurately perform contact-free temperature monitoring and real-time thermal feedback on the degradation system through 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 and 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 radiation transitions of Er3+ ions. In addition, the absolute sensitivity SA and the relative sensitivity SR are as high as 0.868% K−1 and 1.548% K−1 at 313 K, respectively, which indicates nanofibers have good thermal sensitivity. This dual-function nanofiber provides new application prospects for the development of innovative multifunctional semiconductor materials to cope with the ecological and energy crisis.