Fabrication, characterization, and photocatalysis of GaN–Ga2O3 core-shell nanoparticles

Abstract GaN–Ga 2 O 3 core-shell nanoparticles were prepared by heat-treating GaN nanoparticles under air atmosphere at high temperature. The nanoparticles were firstly examined by microscopic and structural techniques, and then the photocatalytic activity of GaN–Ga 2 O 3 core-shell nanoparticles was investigated for the use of GaN–Ga 2 O 3 core-shell nanoparticles as photocatalyst in organic dye degradation. Comparisons of GaN–Ga 2 O 3 core-shell nanoparticles with as-synthesized GaN nanoparticles displayed that the GaN–Ga 2 O 3 core-shell nanoparticles exhibited much better photocatalytic activity. The possible mechanisms of high photocatalytic activity should be ascribed to the oxide layers that cannot only significantly reduce the defects in the GaN nanoparticles but also act as a sink for photogenerated electrons.