α-Fe2O3 decorated ZnO nanorod-assembled hollow microspheres: Synthesis and enhanced visible-light photocatalysis

• α-Fe2O3 decorated ZnO hollow spheres were synthesized by impregnation deposition.
• The α-Fe2O3/ZnO composites show an enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity.
• Visible light absorption ability and photogenerated charge separation are key factors.

α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles-decorated ZnO nanorod-assembled hollow spheres were successfully synthesized by a simple acetone-assisted impregnation deposition. SEM images showed a uniform distribution of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles not only on the surfaces of ZnO spheres but also inside pores of ZnO parallel aligned nanorods. The α-Fe2O3/ZnO binary semiconductor composites exhibited a superior visible-light photocatalytic activity for degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) as compared with pure ZnO spheres. The enhancement was attributed to stronger visible light absorption ability and effective photogenerated charge separation of α-Fe2O3/ZnO composites.

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