Ultra-fast synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic properties of alpha-Fe₂O₃/ZnO core-shell structure

Spindle-like α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO core-shell structures were synthesized by a simple two-step method of microwave hydrothermal synthesis. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution TEM and selected area electron diffraction. Furthermore, photocatalytic activity was measured through the degradation of methyl orange solution. And the results of degradation reveal that the spindle-like α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO nanocomposites exhibit better photocatalytic activities (3.5 times improvement) than those of the pure spindle-like α-Fe₂O₃ under ultraviolet irradiation. A mechanism was proposed based on which the electrons excited in the photocatalytic process.