Hydrogen-terminated silicon nanowire photocatalysis: Benzene oxidation and methyl red decomposition

Graphical abstract: H-SiNWs can catalyze hydroxylation of benzene and degradation of methyl red under visible light irradiation. Highlights: ► Hydrogen-terminated silicon nanowires were active photocatalyst in the hydroxylation of benzene under light. ► Hydrogen-terminated silicon nanowires were also effective in the decomposition of methyl red dye. ► The Si/SiOx core-shell structure is the main reason of the obtained high selectivity during the hydroxylation. -- Abstract: Hydrogen-terminated silicon nanowires (H-SiNWs) were used as heterogeneous photocatalysts for the hydroxylation of benzene and for the decomposition of methyl red under visible light irradiation. The above reactions were monitored by GC–MS and UV–Vis spectrophotometry, respectively, which shows 100% selectivity for the transformation of benzene to phenol. A complete decomposition of a 2 × 10−4 M methyl red solution was achieved within 30 min. The high selectivity for the hydroxylation of benzene and the photodecomposition demonstrate the catalytic activity of ultrafine H-SiNWs during nanocatalysis.