Fabrication and catalytic activities of ZnSnO3/C nanofibers in the piezo/photocatalysis of diclofenac

Piezo-photocatalysis is a "green" approach to decompose various pollutants using natural clean energy. Herein, a series of ZnSnO3/C nanofibers with excellent piezo-photocatalytic activities were reported. The XRD, TEM and SEM, as well as XPS measurements were carried out and the results indicate that ZnSnO3/C nanofibers with the orthorhombic phase were fabricated successfully. The UV-vis absorbance spectra, photocurrent response, EIS curves and photoluminescence characteristics indicate that the incorporated C decreases the band gap of ZnSnO3 and improves separation efficiency of photoinduced charge-hole pairs, which results in higher catalytic activity of ZnSnO3/C nanofibers. The photocatalytic, piezocatalytic and piezo-photocatalytic activities were investigated by degrading diclofenac. The ZnSnO3/C-0.3 parts per thousand has the highest reaction constant among the series of catalysts. The reaction constat of ZnSnO3/C-0.3 parts per thousand in photocatalysis process (0.0185 min(-1)) is 2.15 times that of ZnSnO3. The reaction constat of ZnSnO3/C-0.3 parts per thousand in piezo-photocatalysis process (0.0549 min(-1)) is 2.97 times that of ZnSnO3/C-0.3 %o in photocatalysis and 3.47 times that of ZnSnO3 in piezo-photocatalysis (0.0158 min(-1)). The center dot OH and e- radicals are key roles for degrading diclofenac in catalysis processes.