Single step combustion synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic application of α-Fe2O3-Bi2S3 heterojunctions for efficient and selective reduction of structurally diverse nitroarenes

A series of alpha-Fe2O3-Bi2S3 heterojunction materials were prepared by a one-step autocombustion method employing thiourea as fuel. The heterojunction materials were characterized using XRD, UV-Vis-DRS, FTIR, PL, XPS, FESEM, TEM and HRTEM analytical techniques. XRD study indicated presence of rhombohedral alpha-Fe2O3 and orthorhombic Bi2S3 in the heterojunction materials. The heterojunctions displayed better optical absorption in the visible region and enhanced charge carrier separation characteristics. The oxidation state of the constituent elements on the surface was established from XPS study. IR study showed the characteristic vibrational features of both alpha-Fe2O3 and Bi2S3 phases. Microscopic studies indicated presence of well dispersed alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods in a continuous Bi2S3 matrix. The alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods were typically 30-50 nm in diameter and 120-150 nm in length growing isotopically in different direction from a single nucleation point. The calculated band positions of both components indicated a facile electrons transfer from the conduction band of alpha-Fe2O3 to Bi2S3 whereas migration of holes occurs in the reverse direction yielding a type -II heterojunction. The alpha-Fe2O3-Bi2S3 heterojunctions materials were evaluated as selective and efficient photocatalyst for the hydrogen transfer reduction of nitroarenes under visible light illumination. Structurally diverse nitroarenes could be selectively reduced to the corresponding amines in high yield and purity using alpha-Fe2O3-Bi2S3 as photocatalyst. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.