Enhanced photocatalytic activity of iron doped zinc oxide nanowires for water decontamination

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron doped zinc oxide (ZnO/Fe) nanowires were synthesized on glass substrates through a conventional hydrothermal method and the nanowires were characterized by UV–visible spectrum, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy techniques, respectively. Photocatalytic activities of ZnO and ZnO/Fe nanowires were investigated in both UV and white light for degradation of organic contaminants (1, 2-dichlorobenzene ‘DCB’ and methyl orange ‘MO’) in water. The ZnO/Fe nanowires exhibit an improved photocatalytic activity compared to ZnO nanowires. The photocatalytic performance of the nanowires is also compared to P25 titanium oxide (TiO2) for degradation of DCB and MO. Interestingly, ZnO/Fe nanowires show superior photocatalytic activity than TiO2 in white light and a similar activity level under UV light. The results indicate that this photocatalyst is suitable for the decontamination of organic materials under solar radiation.