Synthesis and study photocatalytic activity of Fe₂O₃-doped ZnO nanostructure under visible light irradiation

ABSTRACT

A systematic study to fabricate doped Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanostructure with different concentrations of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) using a low-cost co-precipitation method. The effects of doped concentrations 1%M, 3%M, 6%M and 9% M were determined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm the polycrystalline structure of ZnO with a wurtzite hexagonal phase, and obvious peaks of Fe₂O₃. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) results showed agglomeration of nanoparticles (NPs) with individual nanorod and separate spherical NPs. The energy dispersive spectra (EDX) confirm the homogeneity and purity of the nanostructure and presence of Zinc (Zn), Carbon (C), Oxygen (O₂) and Fe₂O₃ elements. The degradation of methyl blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation was evaluated, and results showed significantly enhanced with degradation percentages 80.6, 83.8, 85.5 and 92% for doped ZnO, respectively, as compared to 73.8% for undoped ZnO. The improved photocatalytic activity attributed to increase in the aspect ratio of doped ZnO at Nanoscale, and defects in a structure. This work suggests that the prepared Fe₂O₃-doped ZnO NPs are attractive photocatalysts for the degradation of toxic organic waste in the water, which cause a difficult threat to the environment.

KEYWORDS:

• ZnO
• Fe₂O₃
• photocatalyst activity
• nanostructure
• methyl blue

Acknowledgments

This author is grateful for the financial support received for this work from (Department of physics/college of science/Mustansiriyah University/Baghdad/Iraq).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Mustansiriyah University [07812003995].