Rare-earth functioned Bi₂WO₆ nanofibers via electrospinning: Boosted catalytic performance and contact-free temperature monitoring on degradation process

Bi₂WO₆: Er, Yb nanofibers prepared via solvothermal-electrospinning method have high-efficiency photocatalysis performance and superior temperature feedback. Combining crystal integrity and polymer processability, polyacrylonitrile composite fibers are commendable in many aspects, such as large specific surface area, excellent flexibility, controllable structure and high solar energy utilization. The boost in photocatalysis activity can be attributable to non-radiative energy transfer between Er³⁺ ions with bismuth tungstate and doping effect of rare earth ions in Bi₂WO₆, where this doping enhances separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs and promotes generation of highly oxidative species. The electrospun nanofibers also can accurately perform contact-free temperature monitoring and real-time thermal feedback on the degradation system through ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 radiation transitions of Er³⁺ ions. In addition, the absolute sensitivity S_A and the relative sensitivity S_R are as high as 0.868% K⁻¹ and 1.548% K⁻¹ at 313 K, respectively, which indicates nanofibers have good thermal sensitivity. This dual-function nanofiber provides new application prospects for the development of innovative multifunctional semiconductor materials to cope with the ecological and energy crisis.