Rational Design of ZnFe2O4/In2O3 Nanoheterostructures: Efficient Photocatalyst for Gaseous 1,2-Dichlorobenzene Degradation and Mechanistic Insight

Novel ZnFe 2 O 4 /In 2 O 3 hybrid nanoheterostructures with enhanced visible-light catalytic performance were fabricated by assembling ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles on the surface of monodispersed In 2 O 3 nanospheres, and their photocatalytic performances were evaluated via the degradation of gaseous 1,2-dichlorobenzene ( o -DCB). The catalytic activity of the resulting heterostructures for degradation of o -DCB was higher than that of either pure In 2 O 3 or ZnFe 2 O 4 . The enhanced activity was mainly ascribed to the enhanced visible-light harvesting ability, efficient spatial separation, and prolonged lifetimes of photogenerated charges. Meanwhile, the main reaction intermediates including o -benzoquinone type species, phenolate species, formates, acetates, and maleates were verified with in situ FTIR spectroscopy. Additionally, a tentative catalytic reaction mechanism and the generation pathway of • OH over the ZnFe 2 O 4 /In 2 O 3 nanoheterostructures were postulated. The present work provides some significative information for the eradication of harmful chlorinated volatile organic compounds and is expected to benefit the development of In 2 O 3 -based hybrid heterostructures.