Fabrication and characterization of novel iodine doped hollow and mesoporous hematite (Fe2O3) particles derived from sol-gel method and their photocatalytic performances.

In this work, iodine (I) doped hollow and mesoporous Fe2O3 photocatalyst particles were fabricated for the first time through sol-gel method. Phase structure, surface morphology, particle size, specific surface area and optical band gap of the synthesized Fe2O3 photocatalysts were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), BET surface analysis, particle size analyzer and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (UV-vis DRS), respectively. Also, electrochemical properties and photoluminescence spectra of Fe2O3 particles were measured. The results illustrated that high crystalline, hollow and mesoporous Fe2O3 particles were formed. The optical band gap values of the Fe2O3 photocatalysts changed between 2.104 and 1.93eV. Photocatalytic efficiency of Fe2O3 photocatalysts were assessed via MB solution. The photocatalytic activity results exhibited that I doping enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency. 1% mole iodine doped (I-2) Fe2O3 photocatalyst had 97.723% photodegradation rate and 8.638×10-2min-1 kinetic constant which showed the highest photocatalytic activity within 45min. Moreover, stability and reusability experiments of Fe2O3 photocatalysts were carried out. The Fe2O3 photocatalysts showed outstanding stability after four sequence tests. As a result, I doped Fe2O3 is a good candidate for photocatalysts.