α-Fe2O3 modified ZnO flower-like microstructures with enhanced photocatalytic performance for pentachlorophenol degradation

Novel α-Fe2O3 modified ZnO flower-like microstructures were successfully prepared via a simple and rapid solution route with different α-Fe2O3 contents. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS) and N2 adsorption/desorption. Photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared α-Fe2O3/ZnO composites was evaluated by degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) under simulated solar light. The results indicated that α-Fe2O3/ZnO composites showed higher photocatalytic activity than pure ZnO. The optimum photocatalytic activity of α-Fe2O3/ZnO composite with molar ratio of 1:7 was nearly 2 times as high as that of pure ZnO. The remarkably increased performance of α-Fe2O3/ZnO was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect between α-Fe2O3 and ZnO. In addition, the α-Fe2O3/ZnO composites also showed excellent circulation stability.