Microwave-assisted synthesis of high efficient α-Fe2O3/BiOI composites and its performance in photocatalytic degardation of organic pollutants

Abstract Herein, we prepare novel composites of α-Fe2O3/BiOI photocatalysts by one step microwave hydrothermal process. The SEM and TEM characterization results suggest microsphere shaped of BiOI with α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles decorated on the surface of BiOI nanosheets. According to the results of UV-vis DRS measurements, α-Fe2O3/BiOI exhibited more visible light adsorption. The composite exhibited the highest photoactivity for decomposition of methyl orange (MO) and antibiotics tetracycline (Tc) superior to that of the pure α-Fe2O3 and BiOI in the visible light. The degradation rate constant is 2.3 times and 2.0 times higher than that of pure BiOI and α-Fe2O3 under the same conditions for degradation MO and Tc respectively. The photodegradation performances of α-Fe2O3/BiOI composites were also investigated under different light sources irradiation. Based on the analysis results of radical capture experiment, the enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of α-Fe2O3/BiOI photocatalyst can be mainly indentified to be the dominant active species of hole (h+) and superoxide radical( O2−).