Enhanced photo-Fenton degradation of tetracycline using TiO2-coated α-Fe2O3 core–shell heterojunction.

Graphical abstract Highlights • TiO 2 -coated cubic α-Fe 2 O 3 mostly exposed (012) and (101) facets was fabricated. • TiO 2 coating could greatly affect the photocatalytic activity of α-Fe 2 O 3 @TiO 2. • The OH radicals were main responsible for photodegradation of tetracycline. Abstract TiO 2 -coated cubic α-Fe 2 O 3 with mostly exposed (012) and (101) facets (α-Fe 2 O 3 @TiO 2) was fabricated using a hydrothermal route for the photo-Fenton degradation of tetracycline under visible light irradiation. TiO 2 coating could greatly affect the photocatalytic activity of α-Fe 2 O 3 @TiO 2. Compared with cubic α-Fe 2 O 3 alone for photodegradation of tetracycline, α-Fe 2 O 3 @TiO 2 with TiO 2 shell of around 15 nm exhibited higher removal efficiency of tetracycline in photo-Fenton system, and its durability was slightly affected after five cycle times under same conditions. It is ascribed to the well-matched interface between cubic α-Fe 2 O 3 core and TiO 2 shell, leading to the broadened light-absorption and the efficient separation of photo-generated electon–hole pairs. The OH radicals were main responsible for the advanced photocatalytic performance of α-Fe 2 O 3 @TiO 2 in visible-light driven degradation of tetracycline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]