Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye by F-doped Co3O4 nanowires

The hydrothermal method was used to prepare Co3O4 with different shapes by varying concentration of NaOH from 3 to 12 M. Shape of Co3O4 was found to be nanowire by using 9 M NaOH. Fluorine was doped into the surface of Co3O4 nanowire by impregnation method. Doping of fluorine into the surface of Co3O4 nanowire decreases bandgap of Co3O4 nanowire from 2.49 to 2.32 eV as a result of the blocking of some pores of Co3O4 nanowire. The surface area of undoped Co3O4 nanowire is higher than that of doped Co3O4 nanowire. Doping of fluorine into surface of Co3O4 nanowire enhances the photocatalytic performance of Co3O4 nanowire toward degradation of methylene blue dye under visible light.