Structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of ZnS/α-Fe2O3 core shell nano particles

Core shell ZnS/α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were produced by the two-step method. In the first step uniform α-Fe 2 O 3 particles were synthesized by hydrolysis of ferric chloride at 80°C. In the second step ZnS particles were added to α-Fe 2 O 3 particles via hydrothermal rout at ca 90°C. The α-Fe 2 O 3 and ZnS phases were identified by XRD and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Crystal structure and morphology were studied by high resolution TEM. Photoreactivity of ZnS/α-Fe 2 O 3 core shell nanoparticles was quantified by degradation of formaldehyde under UV irradiation.