Sn-Doped Hematite Nanoparticles for Potential Photocatalytic Dye Degradation

Abstract

Abstract Recently, low-cost hematite (α-Fe2O3) metal oxide semiconductor has attracted enormous attention for the photoelectrochemical water splitting and photocatalytic applications. The main purpose of this work is to study the effects of Sn-doping on the photocatalytic properties of hematite nanoparticles (NPs). Morphology and physicochemical properties of prepared samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Rhodamine B (RB) dye was used as a model organic pollutant to test the photocatalytic activity of prepared samples. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of Sn-doped hematite NPs was higher than that of the undoped hematite NPs. The recyclability tests suggested that 3 mol% Sn-doped hematite NPs can be used as a promising reusable photocatalyst for dyes degradation.