Synthesis of Porous Network-Like α-Fe2O3 and α/γ-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles and Investigation of Their Photocatalytic Properties

In this study, porous network-like alpha-Fe2O3 and alpha/gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by auto-combustion method and their photocatalytic performance was evaluated using methylene blue (MB) as a dye model. Calcination of the synthesized nanoparticles resulted in alpha/gamma-Fe2O3 heterophase magnetite material at 450 degrees C and pure alpha-Fe2O3 at 700 and 800 degrees C. The magnetic property of alpha/gamma-Fe2O3 makes the photocatalyst to be easily collected from the photocatalytic system and increases its potential in industrial applications. The alpha/gamma-Fe2O3 heterophase material showed a photocatalytic performance almost similar to that of the alpha-Fe2O3 NPs calcined at 800 degrees C, but higher than that of the alpha-Fe2O3 NPs calcined at 700 degrees C. The cliff-like band structure between alpha-Fe2O3 and gamma-Fe2O3 reduced recombination of photoelectrons and photoholes, thereby improving photocatalytic performance of the alpha/gamma-Fe2O3 heterophase material.