Effects of Pt and Ru doping on the magnetic, optical, photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties of electrospun hematite (α-Fe2O3) fibres

The development of an efficient and stable photo(electrochemical) catalyst is a very challenging task because its catalytic activity depends directly on the electronic structure and the charge carrier transfer through the catalyst/electrolyte interface. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to optimise the semiconducting properties of the electrospun α- Fe2O3 fibres by Ru3+ and Pt4+ doping, to determine the effect of these cations on magnetic and optical properties, as well as on the photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical activity of α-Fe2O3 fibres. Increased temperature of the Morin transition, enhanced remanent magnetization, lower coercivity and narrower optical band gap in hematite fibres by Pt4+ and Ru3+ doping was observed. Electrochemical measurements revealed n- type conductivity of all fibres, while increased donor density and anodic shift of the flatband potential were registered for the doped fibres. The photoactivity of fibres, which was tested for the degradation of rhodamine B, depended on the dopant used.