Preparation and visible-light photocatalytic activity of α-Fe2O3/γ-Fe2O3 magnetic heterophase photocatalyst

• Heterophase junction material of α-Fe2O3/γ-Fe2O3 nanorods has been successfully prepared by a facile thermal decomposition and redox method.
• The material exhibits a remarkably enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity than the single-phase α-Fe2O3 or γ-Fe2O3 nanorods owing to its unique heterophase junctions.
• The γ-Fe2O3 is of magnetism which facilitates the practical application of photocatalysts.

Magnetic heterophase photocatalyst of α-Fe2O3/γ-Fe2O3 nanorods was prepared by a facile thermal decomposition and redox method. The nanorods were about 100 nm in length and 20 nm in diameter, and well-structured heterophase junctions were formed between α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3. Visible-light induced photodegradation of model dye rhodamine B was investigated by using the as-prepared α-Fe2O3/γ-Fe2O3 nanorods. The material exhibits a remarkably enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity than the single-phase α-Fe2O3 or γ-Fe2O3 owing to its well-structured interfaces and suitable band configuration. The existence of magnetic γ-Fe2O3 facilitates the practical application of photocatalysts.