Synthesis of α-Fe2O3/ZnO composites for photocatalytic degradation of pentachlorophenol under UV–vis light irradiation.

A series of α-Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO composites with different α-Fe 2 O 3 contents were successfully prepared by a simple and rapid method. The products were characterized by XRD, FESEM and UV–vis DRS. Photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared α-Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO composites was evaluated by degradation of persistent organic pollutant pentachlorophenol (PCP) in aqueous solution. Compared with pure ZnO, α-Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO composites show higher photocatalytic activity under UV–vis light irradiation. PCP is almost completely degraded by α-Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO composite with molar ratio 1:5 within 4 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]