| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 149920 | Chemical Engineering Journal | 2012 | 8 Pages |
Developing new nanophotocatalysts and identifying their roles are highly attractive in environmental protection and energy utilization. Photoelectro-Fenton process is an environmentally friendly technology and has a wide application in the control of environmental pollutants. However, efficient nanophotocatalysts responsive to visible light are still few. In this work, we have successfully synthesized a uniformly dispersed α-Fe2O3/TiO2 nanotubes hetero-nanostructure by electrochemical deposition method for the degradation of phenol. Compared with the separate α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and TiO2 nanotubes, the composite α-Fe2O3/TiO2 nanotubes electrodes were more effective in the photoelectro-Fenton degradation of phenol and a 100% removal efficiency of phenol was obtained after 60 min treatment. The composite α-Fe2O3/TiO2 electrodes showed an enhanced absorbance in visible light region and had good stability to photoelectro-Fenton reactions. The role of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in various Fenton-related processes were systematically investigated. The results indicate that α-Fe2O3/TiO2 nanotubes are promising material for pollution prevention.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► α-Fe2O3/TiO2 nanotubes were fabricated by electrochemical deposition method. ► α-Fe2O3/TiO2 has stronger absorbance in visible light region relative to TiO2. ► A 100% removal efficiency of phenol in photoelectro-Fenton process was achieved. ► Role of α-Fe2O3 in promoting pollutant degradation was systematically investigated. ► The possible reaction pathways of phenol degradation were suggested.
