Facile Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Fusiform-Like α-Fe2O3 for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

alpha-Fe2O3 fusiform nanorods were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method employing the mixture of FeCl(3)6H(2)O and urea as raw materials. The samples were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-DRS). Its visible-light photocatalytic performances were evaluated by photocatalytic decolorization methylene blue (MB) in visible light irradiation. It was found that pure phase alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods with a length of about 125 nm and a diameter of 50 nm were successfully synthesized. The photocatalytic decolorization of MB results indicated that alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods showed higher photocatalytic activity than that of commercial Fe2O3 nanoparticles-these are attributed to its unique three-dimensional structure and lower electron-hole recombination rate.

Automated summary

Alpha-Fe2O3 fusiform nanorods with a length of about 125 nm and a diameter of 50 nm were successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method. These nanorods exhibited higher visible-light photocatalytic activity compared to commercial Fe2O3 nanoparticles, attributed to their unique three-dimensional structure and lower electron-hole recombination rate.