Preparation of α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites and their photocatalytic activity under simulated sunlight irradiation

Abstract

Using only zinc nitrate, ferric nitrate and sodium hydroxide as reactants, rod-like and flower-like α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites were prepared via a simple and rapid solution route by controlling the composition of precursor solution. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS). Photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites was evaluated by degradation of methyl orange (MO) under simulated solar light. The results indicated that both α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites possess higher photocatalytic activity than commercial P25 TiO₂. In addition, possible reasons why α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites have excellent photocatalytic performance were discussed.

Citation

Xie, J., Li, M., Hao, Y., Meng, X., Meng, Y. and Li, Z. (2015), "Preparation of α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composites and their photocatalytic activity under simulated sunlight irradiation", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 325-330. https://doi.org/10.1260/1708-5284.12.4.325