Preparation of ZrO2–Fe2O3 Nanoparticles and Their Application as Photocatalyst for Water Depollution and Hydrogen Production

This study is deducted to the treatment of wastewater from the organic pollutants and hydrogen production using a photocatalyst composed of Fe2O3 and ZrO2. The structural and photophysical properties of the catalysts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrometry. The photocatalyst acquired p type conductivity, due to oxygen insertion in the layered lattice with an activation energy of 0.15 eV. The flat band potential (Efb, −0.44 VSCE), close to the photocurrent onset potential (−0.2 VSCE). A total degradation of Methyl orange is achieved within 90 min under sunlight irradiation. The total degradation of phenol is also achieved in less than 120 min. Based on the energy band positions, the detailed reaction mechanism has been discussed. The position of the conduction band in the energy diagram shows the possibility of H2 production under visible light.