Photo-degradation of methylene blue: photocatalyst and magnetic investigation of Fe2O3-TiO2 nanoparticles and nanocomposites

In this work at the first step Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized via a fast microwave method. Then Fe2O3-TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized by a sonochemical-assisted method. The prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Alternating gradient force magnetometer illustrated super-paramagnetic property of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The photocatalytic behaviour of Fe2O3-TiO2 nanocomposites was investigated using the degradation of methylene blue under ultraviolet light irradiation. The outcomes confirm that nanocomposites have applicable magnetic and photocatalytic performance. Fe2O3-TiO2 nanostructures were added to cellulose acetate and because of presence of nano-additives properties of polymeric matrix like flame retardancy were increased.