Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Performance of α-Fe2 O3 Nanostructures

Abstract

Morphology engineered α-Fe2O3 nanostructures with magnificent photocatalytic activity and antibacterial property have been presented to address the long-standing environment issue. The visible-light photocatalytic activity of α-Fe2O3 nanostructures was evaluated by using them to degrade methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation in the presence of H2O2. Nano bead-like structure exhibited the greatest activity with 90% degradation efficiency. On the other hand all the shape variants of α-Fe2O3 nanostructures showed brilliant antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli bacterium. Morphology engineered α-Fe2O3 nanostructures with magnificent antibacterial property and excellent photocatalytic activity have been presented to address the long-standing environment issue. After tuning the morphology via solvothermal route the products were characterized by morphological, structural and elemental analysis. The visible-light photocatalytic activity of α-Fe2O3 nanostructures was evaluated by using them to degrade methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation in the presence of H2O2. Amidst the series, nano bead-like structure exhibited the greatest activity toward MB degradation with 90 % degradation efficiency. Unique bead-like structure having fluctuant diameter is thought to play a key role in the enhanced separation of electron-hole pairs of α-Fe2O3 and results superior photocatalytic activity. On the other hand all the shape variants of α-Fe2O3 nanostructures showed brilliant antibacterial effect against Gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacterium. Based on the current findings, the presented α-Fe2O3 nanostructures with their superb photocatalysis and antibacterial activity can be a promising candidate for industry to abate the ever rising environmental threat.