Controlled synthesis α-Fe2O3 nanostructures for efficient photocatalysis

alpha-Fe2O3 microspheres and nanospheres were successfully fabricated by a simple solvothermal method in ethanol-water mixed solvent, with the assistance of NaCl and NaBr, respectively. The as-prepared sample was characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, BET surface area, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic activity of the alpha-Fe2O3 nanostructures was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of ithodamine B under visible-light irradiation. The results show that alpha-Fe2O3 nanospheres prepared in the presence of NaBr exhibit much better photocatalytic activity than alpha-Fe2O3 microspheres prepared in the presence of NaCl. The good photocatalytic activity of alpha-Fe2O3 nanospheres is attributed to the larger surface area and enhanced light absorption. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.