Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue over MgO/α-Fe2O3 nano composite prepared by a hydrothermal method

Abstract

Nanocomposite (MgO/α-Fe2O3), MgO and α-Fe2O3 have been prepared using a simple hydrothermal route at temperature of 180°C for 4h. The products were inspected by using Field Emission Scanning, Electron Microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Atomic Force Microscopy, UV-Visible Spectroscopy, and X-Ray Diffraction. Inclusive characterization of the structures (MgO/α-Fe2O3), MgO and α-Fe2O3 with crystal structures. The photocatalytic activity of the Nano composite, (MgO/α-Fe2O3) was examined over methylene blue (MB) dye under white light irradiation. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated with several PH. The degradation efficiency of dye on nanocomposite catalyst was detected to be 91.7% within 6 min of irradiation visible light designated a decrease in the absorbance intensity and concentration of the dye. These results show that MgO/α-Fe2O3 is appropriate for treatment of wastewater.