Abstract
Novel In(2)O(3) nanocube photocatalysts were successfully prepared by a facile microwave-assisted synthesis method. The obtained products are nano-sized with square corners and high crystallinity. The In(2)O(3) nanocubes possessed high efficiency of electron-hole separation, resulting in high photocatalytic activities for the degradation of tetracycline under both visible light (λ > 420 nm) and full-range light irradiation (360-760 nm), the ratios of which are 39.3% and 61.0%, respectively. Moreover, the calculated positions of the CB and VB under our experimental conditions at the point of zero for In(2)O(3) nanocubes are -0.60 V and +2.17 V, respectively. Note that the redox potentials of [O(2)/·O(2) (-)] and [·OH/OH(-)] are -0.33 V and +2.38 V, respectively, which means that the irradiated In(2)O(3) nanocubes can reduce O(2) into ·O(2) (-) without oxidizing OH(-) into ·OH. It can be concluded that ·O(2) (-) and h(+) are the main active species of In(2)O(3) in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation and full-range light irradiation.