Enhanced Phtocatalytic Activity of αFe2O3 Nanoparticles Using 2D MoS2 Nanosheets

Nanocomposites of α-Fe2O3/MoS2 were synthesized via hydrothermal method and characterized in terms of crystal structure, particle size, morphology, elemental purity and optical properties. Results confirmed the formation of α-Fe2O3/MoS2 nanocomposites containing hematite nanoparticles with the average diameter of 40 nm and MoS2 nanosheets with hexagonal crystal structure and sheet thickness of 10 nm. Optical band gap measurements revealed decreasing the band gap of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles from 2.65 to 2.15 eV upon loading of MoS2 nanosheets. The as-synthesized α-Fe2O3/MoS2 nanocomposites showed a high absorption capability in the visible irradiation. Photocatalytic evaluations showed over 98% degradation of Rhudamine B (Rh B) organic dye within 75 minutes. Nanocomposites of α-Fe2O3/MoS2 enhanced the rate of degradation as compared to the pure α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and MoS2 nanosheets.