Abstract
Figure displayed the SEM image of Fe@ZnO NPs along with photocatalytic decolourization reaction mechanism, rate constant and stability test for all prepared samples. These obtained show that the prepared ZnO NPs with Fe doping content remarkably improved the photocatalytic performance for water treatment applications.
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•Fe@ZnO NPs were synthesized via facile one pot flash combustion technique.•Structural study approves the single hexagonal phase of ZnO at all Fe contents.•Crystallite size was remarkably reduced from 23 nm to 9 nm on increasing the Fe content.•Energy gap of Fe@ZnO NPs was determined in range of 3.212–3.287 eV.•Excellent improvement in photocatalytic nature was noticed in Fe@ZnO NPs.
A facile process has been employed to prepare the high quality ZnO nanostructures with different contents of Iron (Fe) doping. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the synthesis of monophasic ZnO at all Fe contents and rules out the formation of secondary phase. The Scherrer formula was used to determine the particle size and noticed to be reduced from 23 nm to 9 nm when Fe doping increased from 0 to 7.5 wt%. Scanning electron microscopy study shows that the particle are of spherical shape and the size is reducing with Fe content. EDX/SEM elemental-mapping analysis confirm the synthesis of Fe doped ZnO, with homogeneous Fe distribution. A systematic reduction of energy gap was noticed from 3.287 to 3.212 eV. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO was systematically enhanced with Fe content and highest was noticed for 7.5 wt% Fe@ZnO SNPs and also degradation mechanism has been discussed.