Fe2O3@SiO2 Nanoparticles: Synthesis and characterization for Photodegradation Applications

Abstract

Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), silicon oxide (SiO₂), and Fe₂O₃@SiO₂ nanomaterials were synthesized by pulsed laser ablation technique in liquids (PLAL) for photodegradation of methyl orange dye. Field Emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) has been used to investigate the surface morphology of the nanoparticles. From the images of (FESEM), it can be noticed that the particles have sizes within nanometer range and they have sphere- like shaped. The optical characteristics were examined using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. UV-visible results of the prepared materials showed that the highest absorbance has been obtained for the highest concentrations which were prepared using the highest number of pulses. The absorbance edges of Fe₂O₃, SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ @SiO₂ nanoparticles lie at (275 nm) , (250 nm), and (260 nm) respectively. Adsorption Activity of the synthesized Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, Fe₂O₃@SiO₂ nanomaterials confirms that Fe₂O₃ photocatalyst is more efficient which has the efficiency of (94.49%), while the efficiency of SiO₂ reaches to (73. 14%) and the efficiency of Fe₂O₃@SiO₂ is (90. 72%).