α-Fe2O3-based nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic response towards wastewater treatment

Recently, rising distress over ecological pollution owing to water contamination by coloring effluents primarily due to dyes is of growing concern. The development of semiconductor/magnetic oxide-based nanomaterials has verified to be a potent remediation means for water pollution. In the present article, the fabrication of nanocomposites was carried out by the facile hydrothermal method. The ZnO and ZnSe nanoparticles were in situ formed on the alpha-Fe2O3 layer, thereby forming a heterojunction. The prepared alpha-Fe2O3/ZnSe nanocomposite possessed a degradation of 98.9% for a Congo red aqueous solution of 100 ppm. The alpha-Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposite showed only 26% degradation of 100 ppm dye solution depicting a poor photocatalytic performance. This is attributed to the formation of recombination-enhanced configuration (type-I heterostructure) in the alpha-Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposite (NC). In contrast, alpha-Fe2O3/ZnSe NC accomplished a higher and enhanced photocatalytic response. The key rationale for elevated photocatalytic response is the establishment of a recombination-free configuration (type-II heterostructure). Thus, alpha-Fe2O3/ZnSe NC known as one of outstanding nanoparticle-nanocomposite photocatalysts was synthesized under mild conditions exclusive of some multifaceted post-treatment, for dye abatement process.

Automated summary

The article discusses the development of nanocomposites using semiconductor/magnetic oxide-based nanomaterials for water pollution remediation, with the α-Fe2O3/ZnSe nanocomposite showing superior photocatalytic performance. The creation of a recombination-free configuration plays a key role in the enhanced photocatalytic response of the α-Fe2O3/ZnSe nanocomposite.