Enhanced Visible-Photocatalytic Activities in Strong Acids and Strong Alkalis of Flexible Iron-SrTiO3 Nanofibrous Membranes

Traditional SrTiO3 (STO) materials have high brittleness and poor deformation resistance. In this work, macroscopically flexible iron-doped SrTiO3 (SFTO) nanofibrous membranes were prepared by electrospinning and calcination, which can be easily isolated and can maintain integrity to recycle as photocatalysts. Moreover, the SFTO nanofibrous membranes showed enhanced photocatalytic performance under strong acids (pH = 2) and strong alkalis (pH = 12). The SFTO nanofibrous membranes increased the catalytic rate of Congo red (CR) dye by about 10 times in visible light. The mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement was discussed by the combined effects of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals. The successful preparation of SFTO nanofibrous membranes has offered a simple and economical approach to photocatalysis as well as environmental remediation.

Automated summary

Flexible iron-doped SrTiO3 (SFTO) nanofibrous membranes were prepared through electrospinning and calcination. These membranes can be easily isolated and recycled as photocatalysts. The SFTO nanofibrous membranes exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance under strong acids and strong alkalis, increasing the catalytic rate of Congo red (CR) dye by about 10 times in visible light. The mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement was attributed to the combined effects of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals. The successful preparation of SFTO nanofibrous membranes provides a simple and economical approach for photocatalysis and environmental remediation.