Shape-controlled synthesis and photocatalytic activity of In2O3 nanostructures derived from coordination polymer precursors

In(BTC)(phen)(H2O) nanocrystals with controllable morphology and size were successfully obtained by solvothermal method. Hierarchical straw-sheaf-like architectures, nanorods and elongated hexagons have been synthesized by varying the volume ratio of DMF:H2O:C2H5OH. Phase-pure In2O3 nanocrystals were obtained by the calcination of the precursors without significant alteration of the morphology. The products were characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, IR and gas adsorption measurements. The photocatalytic effect was investigated for the In2O3 nanocrystals with different morphology on the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and it was found that the nanorods exhibited the best photocatalytic activity, which shows the degradation efficiency of 94% for 8 h. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity increased with the increase of BET surface area and pore volume. (C) 2016 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.