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Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Using SnO 2 /α‐Fe 2 O 3 Hierarchical Nanoheterostructures
Author(s) -
Zhang Shouwei,
Li Jiaxing,
Niu Haihong,
Xu Wenqing,
Xu Jinzhang,
Hu Wenping,
Wang Xiangke
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
chempluschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.801
H-Index - 61
ISSN - 2192-6506
DOI - 10.1002/cplu.201200272
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , visible spectrum , materials science , methylene blue , semiconductor , nanostructure , degradation (telecommunications) , hydrothermal circulation , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , nanoparticle , absorption (acoustics) , photochemistry , optoelectronics , catalysis , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , telecommunications , computer science , engineering
Three‐dimensional SnO 2 /α‐Fe 2 O 3 semiconductor hierarchical nanoheterostructures were synthesized for photocatalysis through a low‐cost and environmentally friendly hydrothermal strategy, by crystallographic‐oriented epitaxial growth of SnO 2 on three‐dimensional α‐Fe 2 O 3 flowerlike hierarchical nanostructures. In this photocatalyst, visible‐light‐active Fe 2 O 3 flowerlike hierarchical nanostructures were used as a medium to absorb photons and convert them into photogenerated charges, and SnO 2 nanoparticles were used as charge collectors to transport the photogenerated charges. The SnO 2 /α‐Fe 2 O 3 semiconductor hierarchical nanoheterostructures exhibited excellent visible‐light photocatalytic ability for the degradation of methylene blue; this was attributed to the large specific surface area, wide visible‐light absorption range, and efficient electron–hole pair separation properties of the SnO 2 /α‐Fe 2 O 3 nanoheterostructures. The SnO 2 /α‐Fe 2 O 3 material showed improved separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs owing to the potential‐energy differences between SnO 2 and α‐Fe 2 O 3 , and therefore exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity. This paper highlights the SnO 2 /α‐Fe 2 O 3 semiconductor hierarchical nanoheterostructures as potentially more environmentally friendly materials for use in organic pollutant degradation for environmental pollution cleanup operations.