Enhanced Phtocatalytic Activity of α-Fe۲O۳ Nanoparticles Using ۲D MoS۲ Nanosheets

α‒Fe۲O۳/MoS۲ nanocomposites were synthesized via hydrothermal method and characterized in terms of crystal structure, particle size and morphology, elemental purity and optical properties. Results confirmed the formation of α‒Fe۲O۳/MoS۲ nanocomposites containing hematite nanoparticles with average diameter of ۴۰ nm and MoS۲ nanosheets with hexagonal crystal structure and sheet thickness of < ۱۰ nm. Optical band gap measurements revealed decrease of the band gap of α‒Fe۲O۳ nanoparticles from ۲.۶۵ to ۲.۱۵ eV upon loading MoS۲ nanosheets. The as‒synthesized α‒Fe۲O۳/MoS۲ nanocomposites showed a high absorption capability in the visible irradiation. Photocatalytic examinations showed over ۹۸ % degradation of Rhudamine Blue (Rh B) organic dye within ۷۵ min. α‒Fe۲O۳/MoS۲ nanocomposites enhanced the rate of degradation as compared to pure α‒Fe۲O۳ nanoparticles and MoS۲ nanosheets. 

Keywords:

α‒Fe۲O۳/MoS۲ Nanocomposite , Photocatalytic activity